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LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


BV  3271  .J8  H37  1863 

Hartley,  Cecil  B. 

The  three  Mrs.  Judsons 


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THE 


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Logical  st^ 


THREE  MRS.  JUDSONS, 


THE  CELEBRATED 


FEMALE  MISSIONARIES. 


A  NEW  AND  CAREFULLY  REVISED  EDITION. 


By  CECIL  B.  HAKTLBY. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  STEEL  PORTRAITS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
JOHN   E.   POTTER   AND   COMPANY, 

617  Sansom  Street. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1863,  hj 

JOHN    E.     POTTER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the   District  Court  of   the  United  States     for  th« 
Eastern  District  )f  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  one  of  the  most  striking  instances  of  modern  progress 
that  the  missions  of  women  are  beginning  to  be  so  clearly 
recognized  It  is  not  long,  since  a  woman  who  dared  fo  step 
beyond  the  circle  of  home  and  social  duties  was  looked  upon 
with  timid  wonder  by  her  own  sex,  and  disapprobation  by  the 
other;  but  in  this  more  enlightened  age  her  usefulness  is 
readily  acknowledged. 

England  holds  up  her  Florence  Nightingale,  that  courageous, 
noble  woman,  whose  name  is  heard  with  love  and  reverence 
through  the  whole  civilized  world.  Can  we  not,  in  America, 
point  out  our  bright  stars  in  the  galaxy  of  heroines  ?  Florence 
Nightingale  went  to  minister  to  the  bodily  wants  of  men  en- 
gaged in  war,  and  whose  trade  was  bloodshed.  Our  heroines, 
the  Mrs.  Judsons,  went  to  minister  to  the  sinking  souls  of 
heathens,  who  repaid  their  efforts,  in  many  instances,  by  cruel 
persecution.  Florence  Nightingale  went  amongst  her  own 
countrymen,  into  a  civilized  land.  The  Mrs.  Judsons  went  to 
a  far-distant  shore,  to  study  an  unknown  tongue,  to  teach  those 
whose  mere  earthly  claim  upon  them  was  nothing. 

The  names  of  those  amongst  women,  who,  standing  bravely 

3 


4  PKEFACE. 

forth,  have  taken  prominent  places  in  the  missionary  ranks,  and 
who  are  increasing  every  year,  must  all  give  place  to  Mrs.  Ann 
Judson,  who  alone  can  claim  the  first  rank  as  pioneer  of  her 
sex  in  America ;  the  first  who  resolved  to  leave  her  home  hero 
to  minister  to  the  heathen  abroad. 

In  my  pleasant  task  of  writing  the  lives  of  the  Mrs.  Jud- 
sons,  I  am  indebted,  for  valuable  information,  to  the  Lives  of 
the  Mrs.  Judsons  by  J.  B.  Knowles  and  Fanny  Forester,  and 
Wayland's  interesting  Memoirs  of  Dr.  Judson. 

Care  has  been  taken  in  the  present  volume  to  place  the  do- 
mestic life  of  the  Mrs.  Judsons,  as  much  as  was  practicable, 
before  the  reader,  and  to  show,  as  far  as  possible,  the  result  of 
their  individual  labors.  They  stood  as  high  for  conjugal  and 
maternal  loveliness  and  devotedness  as  they. did  in  their  more 
public  character  as  missionaries. 

If  one  young  girl  lay  aside  our  little  volume,  conscious  of 
feeling  a  higher  love  for  Christian  duty,  and  greater  emulation 
to  fulfill  her  own  mission,  be  it  public  or  private,  at  home  or 
abroad,  the  author  will  be  more  than  repaid  for  any  efforts 
made  in  writing  these  memoirs. 


CONTENTS 


Bketcb  of  Lira  or  Ret.  Adoniram  Jcdboit,  D.D 9 

LIFE  OF  MRS.  ANN  II.  JUDSON. 
CHAPTER    I. 

Birth — Parentage — Education,  and  Conversion 25 

CHAPTER    II. 

Marriapfo,  and  Voyage  to  India — Change  of  religiouB  «cntimentfl — Ar- 
rival at  Calcutta — iJifTiouIticH  with  governrncrif, — Voyage  to  I«le  of 
France — Death  of  Mrs.  Nowoll— Voyago  to  Rangoon 80 

CHAPTER    III. 

Description  of  the  Burman  Empire;,  and  the  IJurrne«e  religion 45 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Learning  the  Language — Viflit  to  the  Viceroy's  wife — Mrs.  Jadson'i 
illneHH — Voyage  to  MadraH — Return  to  Rangoon — Birth  and  death 
of  a  son — Mr.  JudHon's  illncHS — Arrival  of  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Hough  at 
Rangoon — Mr.  .Judnon  leaves  Rangoon — Trouhle — Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ilough  lf;ave  Rangoon — Mrs.  Judson's  fortitude — Return  of  Mr. 
Judson 65 

5 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    V. 

PAO« 

Erection  of  a  zayat — Conversion   and  baptism  of  a  native — Death  of 
Mr.  Wheelock — Messrs.  Judson  and  Colman  start  to  visit  Ava 81 

CHAPTER     VI 

Visit  to  Ava — Return  to   Rangoon — First  female  convert  baptized — 
Mrs.  Judson's  illness — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  sail  for  Bengal M 

CHAPTER    YII. 

Return  to  Rangoon — Mrs.  Judson's  renewed  illness — Voyage  to  Eng- 
land— Visits  in  England  and  America — Return  to  India 98 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

Messrs.  Judson  and  Price  visit  Ava — Return  to  Rangoon — Mrs.  Jud- 
son's arrival — Removal  to  Ava 115 

CHAPTER    IX. 

War  in  Burmah — Mrs.  Judson's  account  of  the  missionaries'  sufferings 
— Tribute  to  Mrs.  Judson  from  prisoners 124 

CHAPTER    X. 

Death  of  Mrs.  Judson  and  her  daughter , 176 

LIEE  OF  MRS.  SARAH  B.  JUDSON. 
CHAPTER    I. 

Birth— Parentage,  and  Early  Life 191 

CHAPTER    II. 

Profession  of  religion — Poetry  on  death   of  Colman — Marriage— De- 
parture for  India 195 


CONTENTS.  7 

CHAPTER    III. 

Removal  to   Maulmain — First   peril  in    their   new  home — Removal  to 
Tavoy — Missionary  labors — Interest  in  the  Karens 204 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Death  of  the  first  born 211 

CHAPTER  V. 

Eevoltat  Taroy — Birth  and  death  of  second  son 215 

CHAPTER  YI. 

nineas  of  Mrs.  Boardman — Mr.  Boardman's  failing  health 222 

CHAPTER  YII. 

Death  of  Mr.  Boardman 227 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  widow  Missionary 2i0 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Marriage  to   Mr.  Judson — Declining  health — Literary  labors — Separa- 
tion from  her  son 248 

CHAPTER  X 

Mr.  Judson's  illness 256 

CHAPTER  XI. 

A  year  of  trial 261 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  and  children  leave  India — Death  of  Mrs.  Jud- 
8on 267 


8  •  CONTENTS. 

LIFE  OF  MRS.  EMILY  C.  JUDSON, 
CHAPTER  I. 

PAoa 
Birth — Early  life — Literary  career — Marriage  and  departure  for  India 
— Farewell  to  Alderbrook 274 

CHAPTER  II. 

Arrival  in  India — Literary  labors — Poem  written   on  the  birth  of  a 
daughter — Domestic  life „ 282 

CHAPTER  III. 

Mrs.  Judson's  illness — Dr.  Judson's  death — Mrs.  Jndson's  return  to 
America — Death — Poems 390 


SKETCH 


OF  THE 


LIFE  OF  REV.  ADONIRAM  JUDSON,  D.D. 


Before  entering  upon  the  memoirs  of  the  three  distin- 
guished women,  whose  career  of  usefulness  forms  the  subject 
of  this  volume,  let  me  give  a  short  sketch  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jud- 
son,  their  husband,  the  leader  in  the  self-sacrificing  work  to 
which  they  devoted  their  lives,  and  the  pioneer  in  that  extended 
field  of  Missionary  labor,  the  Burman  Empire. 

Adoniram  Judson,  the  eldest  son  of  Adoniram  and  Abigail 
Judson,  was  born  in  Maiden,  Massachusetts,  August  9th,  1788. 
His  father,  the  Bev.  Adoniram  Judson,  was  pastor  of  difi'erent 
Congregational  churches  until  the  year  1817,  when  his  views 
upon  the  subject  of  baptism  having  changed,  he  left  the  min- 
istry. He  died  at  Scituate,  in  1826,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
seventy-six. 

i^.doniram,  the  subject  of  the  present  memoir,  gave,  at  a 
very  early  age,  promise  of  great  talent,  having  a  powerful  and 
quick  intellect,  astonishing  perseverance,  and  a  great  love  of 
study.  When  only  three  years  old,  his  mother  taught  him  to 
read,  and  this  power  once  acquired,  he  soon  gave  evidence  of 
an  intense  love  for  study.  His  father,  though  seeking  no  high 
office  for  himself,  was  proud  of  the  talents  developed  in  his 
children,  and  constantly  stimulated  his  son  to  further  efforts,  by 

promises  of  future  fame. 

9 


10  SKETCH   OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

Vou  are  a  very  acute  boy,  Adoniram,"  he  said  to  "him,  on 
one  occasion,  "  and  I  expect  you  to  become  a  great  man."  Mr. 
Judson  himself  owned,  later  in  life,  that  all  his  early  dreams 
were  stimulated  by  this  hope  for  future  fame,  yet  in  the  midst 
of  these  ambitious  soarings,  into  his  heart  crept  the  Scripture 
passage  : 

"  Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  but  to  Thy  name  be  the  glory." 

Even  then,  he  adds,  he  feared  to  look  further  into  his  own 
heart,  lest  he  should  find  it  rebellious  against  the  injunction. 
He  hoped  to  be  a  religious  and  Grod-fearing  man,  but  his  father 
said  he  should  become  a  great  man,  and  he  was  resolved  to  fulfill 
the  prophecy. 

His  career  at  school  was  marked  by  great  love  of  study, 
perseverance,  and  most  rapid  progress  in  every  task.  In  math- 
ematics and  the  classics  his  proficiency  was  the  subject  of  com- 
mendation from  all  his  instructors,  and  admiration  with  his 
schoolmates. 

At  sixteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Judson  entered  Brown  Univer- 
sity, then  Providence  College,  one  year  in  advance.  His  ambi- 
tion here  stood  him  in  good  stead.  Throughout  the  college  he 
was  distinguished  for  his  closely  studious  habits,  his  perfection 
in  every  exercise,  and  his  punctual  attendance  in  every  class. 
A  letter  written  during  his  collegiate  term,  by  the  late  Rev. 
Dr.  Messer,  to  his  father,  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  his 
"  uniform  propriety  of  conduct,  as  well  as  an  intense  applica- 
tion to  study." 

While  he  was  in  college,  French  infidelity  swept  like  a  nox- 
ious blast  over  the  land.  In  the  class  above  the  young  Adon- 
iram,  was  a  young  man  of  great  talent,  and  prepossessing  man- 
ners, named   E .     He   was  a  confirmed  Deist.     A  warm 

attachment  existed  between  Judson  and  E ,  and  in  a  short 

time,  the  future  missionary  was,  professedly,  as  great  an  unbe- 
liever as  his  friend.  Together  they  discussed  future  worldly 
prospects,  and  argued  on  the  most  favorable  profession  for  the 
attainment  of  fame.  Mr.  Judson  graduated  Bachelor  of  Arts 
in  September,  1807,  receiving  for  commencement  the  highest 
appointment,  an  English  oration,  with  the  valedictory  addresses, 


REV.    ADONIRAM   JUDSON,    D.  D.  11 

pn)viug  him,  in  the  opini-on  of  his  instructors,  the  first  scholar 
in  his  class. 

During  his  college  course  he  kept  school,  through  the  vaca- 
tions, and  in  1807  he  opened  a  private  school  in  Plymouth. 
During  the  year  1808,  he  published  two  works  for  schools, 
his  "  Elements  of  English  Grammar,"  and  "  The  Young 
Lady's  Arithmetic,"  both  of  which  were  highly  commended  by 
the-  press,  and  also  in  private  letters  by  teachers. 

In  1808  he  closed  the  school  in  Plymouth,  and  made  a  tour 
through  the  Northern   States.     During  this  trip,  he  heard  of 

the  death  of  his  college  friend,  E ,  the  Deist,  and  scoffer  at 

religion.  A  great  revulsion  of  feeling  followed  this  announce- 
ment, and  humbled,  saddened,  feeling  deeply  how  erroneous 
had  been  his  former  views,  Judson  returned  to  his  home, 
deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  religion  for  himself. 
He  taught  school  in  Boston  for  a  short  time  after  his  return, 
and  then  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andover,  com- 
mencing his  course,  as  in  his  previous  entrance  in  college,  a 
year  in  advance.  On  the  28th  of  May,  1809,  after  seven 
months  spent  in  the  college,  he  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion,  and  joined  the  church  of  which  his  father  was  then 
pastor,  the  Third  Congregational  Church  in  Plymouth,  It 
was  during  his  residence  in  Andover  College,  that  he  first  began 
to  turn  his  thoughts  to  that  great  work  he  afterwards  so  faith- 
fully undertook,  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions.  His  own 
letter,  written  to  Dr.  Chapin,  whilst  prosecuting  his  missionary 
labors,  gives  so  full  an  account  of  his  views  upon  the  subject 
of  missions,  that  I  quote  it  entire. 

TO  THE  REV.  DR.  CHAPIN,  PRESIDENT  OF  COLUMBIAN  COLLEGE, 
WASHINGTON. 

Maulmain,  December  18,  1837. 

Yery  dear  Brother  :  Yours  of  March  21st  I  have  re- 
ceived with  great  pleasure,  and  shall  be  glad  to  answer  your 
inquiries,  and  give  you  any  information  in  my  power. 

I  had  addressed  a  letter  to  brother  Rice,  dated  July  13 


12  SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

1836,  wMcli  could  not,  however,  liave  reached  liim  before  bis 
death.  As  that  letter  contains  considerable  information  which 
has  a  bearing  on  the  subject  of  your  inquiries,  I  will  first 
transcribe  it,  and  then  subjoin  remarks  on  some  other  points. 
"  My  dear  brother  Rice :  You  ask  me  to  give  you  some 
account  of  my  first  missionary  impressions,  and  those  of 
my  earliest  associates.  Mine  were  occasioned  by  reading 
Buchanan's  '  Star  in  the  East,'  in  the  year  1809,  at  the  An- 
dover  Theological  Seminary.  Though  I  do  not  now  consider 
that  sermon  as  peculiarly  excellent,  it  produced  a  very  power- 
ful effect  on  my  mind.  For  some  days  I  was  unable  to  attend 
to  the  studies  of  my  class,  and  spent  my  time  in  wondering  at 
my  past  stupidity,  depicting  the  most  romantic  scenes  in  mis- 
sionary life,  and  roving  about  the  college  rooms,  declaiming 
on  the  subject  of  missions.  My  views  were  very  incorrect, 
and  my  feelings  extravagant;  but  yet  I  have  always  felt 
thankful  to  Grod  for  bringing  me  into  that  state  of  excitement, 
which  was,  perhaps,  necessary,  in  the  first  instance,  to  enable 
me  to  break  the  strong  attachment  I  felt  to  home  and  country, 
and  to  endure  the  thought  of  abandoning  all  my  wonted  pur- 
suits and  animating  prospects.  That  excitement  soon  passed 
away ;  but  it  left  a  strong  desire  to  prosecute  my  inquiries,  and 
ascertain  the  path  of  duty.  It  was  during  a  solitary  walk  in 
the  woods  behind  the  college,  while  meditating  and  praying  on 
the  subject,  and  feeling  half  inclined  to  give  it  up,  that  the 
command  of  Christ,  '  Go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature,'  was  presented  to  my  mind  with 
such  clearness  and  power,  that  I  came  to  a  full  decision,  and 
though  great  difficulties  appeared  in  my  way,  resolved  to  obey 
the  command  at  all  events.  But,  at  that  period,  no  provision 
had  been  made  in  America  for  a  foreign  mission,  and  for 
several  months,  after  reading  Buchanan,  I  found  none  among 
the  students  who  viewed  the  subject  as  I  did,  and  no  minister 
in  the  place  or  neighborhood  who  gave  me  any  encouragement; 
and  I  thought  that  I  should  be  under  the  necessity  of  going  to 
"England  and  placing  myself  under  foreign  patronage. 

"  My  earliest  missionary  associate  was  Nott ;  who,  though  he 


13 

had  recently  entered  the  seminary,  (in  the  early  part  of  1810,) 
was  a  member  of  the  same  class  with  myself.  He  had  con- 
sidered the  subject  for  several  months,  but  had  not  fully  made 
up  his  mind.  About  the  same  time,  Mills,  Richards,  and 
others  joined  the  seminary  from  Williams  College,  where  they 
had,  for  some  time,  been  in  the  habit  of  meeting  for  prayer 
and  conversation  on  the  subject  of  missions ;  but  they  entered 
the  junior  class,  and  had  several  years  of  theological  study  be- 
fore them.  You  were  of  the  same  standing,  but  from  some 
engagement,  (a  school,  I  believe,)  did  not  arrive  so  soon, 
though  you  ultimately  finished  your  course  before  the  others, 
and  joined  the  first  party  that  embarked. 

"  Newell  was  the  next  accession  from  my  own  class.  As  to 
Hall,  he  was  preaching  at  Woodbury,  Connecticut.  I  heard 
that  he  once  thought  favorably  of  missions,  and  wrote  him  a 
short  letter.  He  had  just  received  a  call  to  settle  -in  that 
place,  and  was  deliberating  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  accept 
it  or  not,  when  the  letter  was  put  into  his  hand.  He  instantly 
came  to  a  decision,  and  the  next  rising  sun  saw  him  on  the 
way  to  Andover.  I  think  that  he  arrived  about  the  time  of 
the  meeting  of  the  General  Association  of  Ministers  at  Brad- 
ford, in  the  summer  of  1810.  I  do  not,  however,  recollect 
him  present  at  that  meeting,  nor  was  his  name  attached  to 
the  paper  which  we  presented  to  the  association,  and  which 
was  originally  signed  by  Nott,  Newell,  Mills,  Rice,  Richards, 
and  myself,  though,  at  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Spring,  your 
name  and  Richards's,  which  happened  to  stand  last,  were 
struck  off,  for  fear  of  alarming  the  association  with  too  large  a 
number. 

"  I  have  ever  thought  that  the  providence  of  God  was  con- 
spicuously manifested  in  bringing  us  all  together,  from  difier- 
ent  and  distant  parts.  Some  of  us  had  been  considering  the 
subject  of  missions  for  a  long  time,  and  some  but  recently. 
Some,  and  indeed  the  greater  part,  had  thought  chiefly  of 
domestic  missions,  and  efforts  among  the  neighboring  tribes  of 
Indians,  without  contemplating  abandonment  of  country,  and 
devotement  for  life.      The  reading  and  reflection  of  others 


14  SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

had  led  them  in  a  different  way ;  and  when  we  all  met  at  tlie 
same  seminary,  and  came  to  a  mutual  understanding  on  the 
ground  of  foreign  missions  and  missions  for  life,  the  subject 
assumed  in  our  minds  such  an  overwhelming  importance  and 
awful  solemnity,  as  bound  us  to  one  another,  and  to  our  pur- 
pose, more  firmly  than  ever.  How  evident  it  is  that  the  Spirit 
of  Grod  had  been  operating  in  different  places,  and  upon  differ- 
ent individuals,  preparing  the  way  for  those  movements  which 
have  since  pervaded  the  American  churches,  and  will  continue 
to  increase  until  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Anointed  V 

LETTER  TO  HIS  PARENTS. 

Andover,  June  29,  1810. 
Hon.  Parents  :     The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  lertter 
which  I  directed  to  Dr.  Bogue  : — 

Divinity  College,  Andover,  Mass.,  April,  1810. 

Rev.  Sir  :  I  have  considered  the  subject  of  missions  nearly 
a  year,  and  have  found  my  mind  gradually  tending  to  a  deep 
conviction  that  it  is  my  duty  personally  to  engage  in  this  ser- 
vice. Several  of  my  brethren  of  this  college  may  finally  unite 
with  me  in  my  present  resolution.  On  their,  as  well  as  my 
own  behalf,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  you  this  letter. 
My  object  is  to  obtain  information  on  certain  points — whether 
there  is,  at  present,  such  a  call  for  missionaries  in  India,  Tar- 
tary,  or  any  part  of  the  eastern  continent,  as  will  induce  the 
directors  of  the  London  Missionary  Society  to  engage  new  mis- 
sionaries ;  whether  two  or  three  young,  unmarried  men,  having 
received  a  liberal  education,  and  resided  two  years  in  this  Di- 
vinity School,  wishing  to  serve  their  Saviour  in  a  heathen  land, 
and,  indeed,  susceptible  of  a  ^^  passion  for  missions,'^ — whether 
such  young  men,  arriving  in  England  next  spring,  with  full 
recommendations  from  the  first  Christian  characters  in  this 
country,  may  expect  to  be  received  on  probation  by  the  direc- 
tors, and  placed  at  the  seminary  in  Gosport,  if  that  be  judged 


REV.    ADONIRAM   JUDSON,    D.D.  15 

expedient ;  and  whether,  provided  they  give  satisfaction  as  to 
their  fitness  to  undertake  the  work,  all  their  necessary  expenses 
after  arriving  in  England  shall  be  defrayed  from  the  funds  of 
the  society,  which  funds  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  ultimately  reim- 
bui'sed  by  supplies  from  the  American  churches. 

We  have  consulted  our  professors  on  this  subject,  particu- 
larly Dr.  Griffin,  professor  of  oratory.  He  intends  writing  to 
several  in  England,  and  perhaps  to  Dr.  Bogue.  But  his  en- 
gagements being  such  as  will  prevent  his  writing  at  present, 
and  wishing  myself  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  immediately^ 
containing  the  desired  information,  I  have  written  myself.  I 
close  with  an  earnest  request  that  you  will  please  transmit  me 
an  answer  as  soon  as  possible,  and  a  prayer  that  your  answer 
may  be  favorable  to  my  most  ardent  wishes. 

(Signed,)  Adoniram  Judson,  Jr. 

Bev.  Dr.  Bogue,  Grosport,  England. 

P.  S.  I  shall  deem  it  a  favor  if  you  do  not  confine  your  re- 
marks to  the  points  which  I  have  proposed,  but  are  pleased  to 
give  such  general  information  and  advice  as  you  may  think 
will  be  useful  to  me  and  my  brethren. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  petition  laid  before  the  Gen- 
eral Association,  this  week  convened  in  Bradford,  composed 
of  delegates  from  several  Associations  in  this  State,  and  from 
the  General  Associations  of  New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut : 

The  undersigned,  members  of  the  Divinity  College,  respect- 
fully request  the  attention  of  their  reverend  fathers,  convened 
in  the  General  Association  at  Bradford,  to  the  following  state- 
ment and  inquiries : — 

They  beg  leave  to  state  that  their  minds  have  been  long  im- 
pressed with  the  duty  and  importance  of  personally  attempting 
a  mission  to  the  heathen  ;  that  the  impressions  on  their  minds 
have  induced  a  serious,  and,  as  they  trust,  a  prayerful  consid- 
eration of  the  subject  in  its  various  attitudes,  particularly  in 
relation  to  the  probable  success  and  the  difficulties  attending 


16  SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

such  an  attempt ;  and  that,  after  examining  all  the  information 
which  they  can  obtain,  they  consider  themselves  as  devoted  to 
this  work  for  life,  whenever  God,  in  his  providence,  shall  open 
the  wa3^ 

They  now  offer  the  following  inquiries,  on  which  they  solicit 
the  opinion  and  advice  of  this  association  :  Whether,  with  their 
present  views  and  feelings,  they  ought  to  renounce  the  object 
of  missions,  as  either  visionary  or  impracticable  ;  if  not,  whether 
they  ought  to  direct  their  attention  to  the  eastern  or  the  western 
world  ;  whether  they  may  expect  patronage  and  support  from 
a  missionary  society  in  this  country,  or  must  commit  them- 
selves to  the  direction  of  a  European  society ;  and  what  pre- 
paratory measures  they  ought  to  tafke,  previous  to  actual  en- 
gagement. 

The  undersigned,  feeling  their  youth  and  inexperience,  look 
up  to  their  fathers  in  the  church,  and  respectfully  solicit  their 
advice,  direction,  and  prayers. 

Signed,  Adoniram  Judson,  Jr. 

Samuel  Mott,  Jr. 

Samuel  J.  Mills. 

Samuel  Newell. 

The  petition  quoted  in  the  preceding  letter  was  referred  by 
the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts  to  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Rev.  Messrs;  Spring,  Worcester,  and  Hale,  The 
following  report  was  made  the  next  day  by  this  committee,  and 
unanimously  adopted  : 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  request  of  the 
young  gentlemen,  members  of  the  Divinity  College,  for  advice 
relative  to  missions  to  the  heathen,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  fol- 
lowing report : — 

The  object  of  missions  to  the  heathen  cannot  but  be  re- 
garded, by  the  friends  of  the  Redeemer,  as  vastly  interesting 
and  important.  It  deserves  the  most  serious  attention  of  all 
who  wish  well  to  the  best  interests  of  mankind,  and  especially 
of  those  who  devote  themselves  to  the  service  of  God,  in  the 
kingdom  of  his  Son,  under  the  impression  of  the  special  direc- 


REV.   ADONIRAM  JUDSON,    D.D.  17 

tion,  "  Gro  ye  into  all  tlie  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature/'  The  state  of  their  minds,  modestly  expressed  by 
the  theological  students  who  have  presented  themselves  before 
this  body,  and  the  testimonies  received  respecting  them,  are 
such  as  deeply  to  impress  the  conviction  that  they  ought  not 
"  to  renounce  the  object  of  missions,''  but  sacredly  to  cherish 
"  their  present  views"  in  relation  to  that  object :  and  it  is  sub- 
mitted whether  the  peculiar  and  abiding  impressions,  by  which 
they  are  influenced,  ought  not  to  be  gratefully  recognized  as  a 
divine  intimation  of  something  good  and  great  in  relation  to 
the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  and  calHng  for  correspondent 
attention  and  exertions. 

Therefore, — 

Voted,  That  there  be  instituted,  by  this  General  Association, 
a  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  devising  ways  and  means,  and  adopting  and  prosecut- 
ing measures,  for  promoting  the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  heathen 
lands. 

Voted,  That  the  said  Board  of  Commissioners  consist  of  nine 
members,  all  of  them,  in  the  first  instance,  chosen  by  this  As- 
sociation ;  and  afterwards,  annually,  five  of  them  by  this  body, 
and  four  of  them  by  the  General  Association  of  Connecticut. 
Provided,  however,  that,  if  the  General  Association  of  Con- 
necticut do  not  choose  to  unite  in  this  object,  the  annual  elec- 
tion of  all  the  commissioners  shall  be  by  this  General  Associa- 
tion. 

It  is  understood  that  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  here  con- 
templated, will  adopt  their  own  form  of  organization,  and  their 
own  rules  and  regulations. 

Voted,  That,  fervently  commending  them  to  the  grace  of 
God,  we  advise  the  young  gentlemen,  whose  request  is  before 
us,  ia  the  way  of  earnest  prayer  and  diligent  attention  to 
suitable  studies  and  means  of  information,  and  putting  them- 
selves under  the  patronage  and  direction  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  humbly  to  wait  the  openings 
and  guidance  of  Providence  in  respect  to  their  great  and  excel- 
lent design. 
2 


18  SKETCH    OP   THE   LIFE   OF 

A  subsequent  meeting  was  afterwards  held  by  tte  Genera* 
Association,  and  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions,  with  the  pe- 
tition quoted  above,  more  fully  discussed.  It  was  then  decided 
to  attempt  an  arrangement  with  the  English  Missionary  So- 
ciety, to  join  with  them  in  their  efforts  for  diffusing  Chris- 
tianity amongst  the  heathen,  and  Mr.  Judson  was  appointed 
to  go  to  England  to  ascertain  whether  such  an  arrangement  was 
practicable.     His  letter  of  instructions  was  as  follows : 

LETTER   OF   INSTRUCTIONS   FROM  THE   PRUDENTIAL  COMMIT- 
TEE  TO   MR.  JUDSON. 

Mr.  Adoniram  Judson  : — As  you  and  your  brethren, 
Samuel  Newell,  Samuel  Nott,  and  Gordon  Hall,  have  professed 
to  hold  yourselves  sacredly  devoted  to  the  service  of  Christ,  in 
some  part  or  parts  of  the  heathen  world,  as  in  divine  provi- 
dence a  door  may  be  opened  to  you,  and  as,  with  reference 
to  this  important  object,  you  have  chosen  to  place  yourselves 
under  the  superintendence  and  direction  of  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  the  Prudential 
Committee  of  the  said  board,  after  obtaining  satisfaction  in  re- 
gard to  your  qualifications  severally  for  the  contemplated  ser- 
vice, and  seriously  consulting  on  the  subject  at  large,  have 
judged  it  advisable  to  have  a  full  and  distinct  understanding 
with  the  directors  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  general  object.  For  this  purpose  they  have  deter- 
mined on  sending  you,  dear  sir,  to  England,  under  the  follow- 
ing instructions  : — 

Agreeably  to  arrangements  made,  you  will  sail  for  England 
in  the  ship  Packet,  and  on  your  arrival  at  her  port  of  destina- 
tion, you  will  proceed,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to  London,  and 
deliver  your  letter  of  introduction  to  the  Rev.  George  Burder, 
secretary  of  the  London  Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Burder,  we 
doubt  not,  will  receive  you  with  Christian  courtesy,  and  from 
him,  and  his  brethren  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  you  will 
receive  such  notices  as  will  enable  you  to  accomplish,  in  the 
best  manner,  the  design  now  in  view.     A  principal  object  of 


REV.    ADONIRAM    JUDSON,    D.  D.  19 

your  attention  will  be  to  ascertain,  as  distinctly  as  possible, 
whether  any  and  what  arrangements  can  be  made  for  a  concert 
of  measures,  in  relation  to  missions,  between  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  and  the  London  Missionary  Society ; 
particularly  whether,  if  circumstances  should  render  it  desi- 
rable, you  and  your  brethren  can  be  supported  in  missionary 
service  for  any  time  by  the  London  funds,  without  committing 
yourselves  wholly  and  finally  to  the  direction  of  the  London 
society  ;  or  whether  it  may  be  in  any  case  consistent  for  the 
mission  to  be  supported  partly  by  them  and  partly  by  us  ;  and 
if  so,  under  whose  direction  it  must  be  held.  On  these  points 
you  will  possess  yourself  of  the  views  of  the  directors  of  the 
London  society,  and  receive  their  propositions  for  our  consid- 
eration. You  will  also,  during  your  stay  in  England,  avail 
yourself  of  your  opportunities  and  advantages  for  obtaining 
ample  and  correct  information  relating  to  missionary  fields,  the 
requisite  preparations  for  missionary  services,  the  most  eligible 
methods  of  executing  missions,  and  generally  to  whatever  may 
be  conducive  to  the  missionary  interest ;  and  the  most  impor- 
tant parts  of  such  information  as  you  may  obtain  you  will  com- 
mit to  writing  for  the  use  of  the  American  Board. 

As  it  is  not  expected  that  you  will  be  at  your  own  charge  in 
this  engagement,  you  will  keep  a  full  account  of  your  expendi- 
tures, for  adjustment  on  your  return. 

We  commend  you,  dear  brother,  to  the  providence  and  the 
grace  of  God,  with  fervent  prayers  for  your  safety,  your  suc- 
cess, and  your  happiness.  In  behalf  of  the  Prudential  Com- 
mittee of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions, 

Yours,  dear  brother,  with  great  affection. 

Samuel  Worcester. 

from   the   rev.   dr.  worcester,  to    the   rev.  george 

BURDER. 

Salem,  January  Sd,  1811. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir  : — Enclosed  with  this  you  will  receive 
a  printed  paper,  in  which  you  will  see  in  general  what  has 


20  SKETCH    OF    THE    LIFE    OP 

recently  been  done  in  this  country  in  relation  to  foreign  misu 
sions.  Four  young  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Adoniram  Judson,  Jr., 
Samuel  Newell,  and  Samuel  Nott,  whose  names  you  will  find 
in  the  paper  referred  to,  and  Mr.  Gordon  Hall,  have  offered 
themselves  as  candidates  for  missions  to  the  heathen,  under  a 
solemn  profession  that  they  have  devoted  themselves  to  Grod 
for  this  arduous  service,  wherever  in  his  providence  he  may 
see  fit  to  employ  them.  These  beloved  brethren  have  all 
passed  through  a  course  of  collegial  education,  and  received  a 
collegial  degree.  Since  leaving  the  universities,  they  have 
completed  a  course  of  studies  at  the  theological  institution  in 
this  vicinity,  where  they  have  acquitted  themselves  to  the  high 
satisfaction  of  their  instructors  and  friends.  According  to  our 
established  order,  they  have  been  regularly  licensed  for  the 
Christian  ministry,  and  for  a  considerable  time  they  have  all 
preached  in  our  churches  to  good  acceptance.  Their  moral 
and  Christian  reputation  is  good,  and  their  talents  and  attain- 
ments are  respectable.  Before  the  Prudential  Committee  of 
the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions 
they  have  passed  an  examination  in  form,  relative  to  their 
religious  sentiments,  their  religious  feelings,  and  their  views  in 
offering  themselves  for  the  missionary  service  ;  and  their  answers 
and  declarations  throughout,  were  highly  satisfactory.  They 
profess  their  full  belief  in  the  articles  of  faith  which  are  estab- 
lished in  the  theological  institution,  a  copy  of  which  you  will 
receive ;  and  the  Prudential  Committee  have  great  confidence 
that  they  have  received  the  truth  in  love  ;  that  they  are  persons 
of  sincere  and  ardent  piety ;  that  they  have  offered  themselves 
for  the  missionary  service  from  the  best  motives ;  and,  in  a 
word,  that  they  have  qualifications  for  distinguished  usefulness. 
The  manner  in  which  these  young  men  have  come  forward, 
together  with  a  similar  disposition  manifested  by  several  others, 
has  made,  extensively,  a  deep  impression,  and  excited  a  lively 
interest.  It  is  gratefully  hailed  as  an  indication  that  the  Lord 
is  about  to  do  something  by  his  friends  in  this  country,  in  fur- 
therance of  the  great  design  in  which  their  brethren  in  Eng- 
land have  been  so  nobly  and  so  exemplarily  engaged. 


REV.    ADONIRAM   JUDSON,    D.D.  21 

On  our  own  continent,  indeed,  there  are  many  millions  of 
men  "  sitting  in  darkness  and  in  the  region  and  shadow  of 
death,"  and  our  brethren  in  England  may  wonder  that,  while 
such  is  the  fact,  we  should  turn  our  views  to  any  other  part  of 
the  world.  But  the  attempts  which  have  been  made  to  evan- 
gelize the  aboriginal  tribes  of  the  North  American  wilderness 
have  been  attended  with  so  many  discouragements,  and  South 
America  is  yet  in  so  unpromising  a  state,  that  the  opinion  very 
generally  prevalent  is,  that  for  the  pagans  on  this  continent  but 
very  little  can  immediately  be  done.  Hence,  though  the  hope 
is  entertained,  that  the  time  is  coming  when  the  benevolent 
exertions  of  the  Redeemer's  friends  here,  for  spreading  the 
knowledge  of  his  name,  may  be  successfully  employed  nearer 
home,  yet  at  present  the  eastern  world  is  thought  to  offer  a 
more  promising  field. 

As  yet,  however,  we  have  no  adequate  funds  established  for 
the  support  of  distant  and  expensive  missions.  What  may  be 
done  in  the  course  of  a  short  time  we  know  not.  It  is  the 
desire  and  the  prayer  of  many,  that  American  missionaries 
may  have  American  support ;  and  we  are  not  without  hope 
that  He  to  whom  the  silver  and  the  gold  belong  will  open  the 
hearts  of  the  rich  among  us  for  this  interesting  purpose.  Should 
this  hope  be  realized,  and  missionary  funds  to  any  considerable 
amount  be  raised,  they  will  probably  be  placed  under  such  an 
arrangement  as  to  be  employed  either  in  the  East,  or  on  our 
own  continent,  as  divine  Providence  may  direct. 

Under  existing  circumstances,  the  American  Board  are  de- 
sirous to  open  a  communication  with  the  London  Missionary 
Society,  whose  knowledge  of  missionary  concerns  is  ample,  and 
the  praise  of  whose  liberality  and  persevering  exertions  is  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  For  this  purpose,  Mr.  Judson,  one  of  the 
missionary  brethren,  of  whom  you  have  already  some  know 
ledge,  and  who  has  been  favored  with  a  letter  from  you,  has 
been  appointed  to  go  to  London.  To  your  courtesy  and  Chris- 
tian attention  he  is  most  affectionately  and  respectfully  recom- 
mended ;  and  for  the  particular  objects  for  which  he  is  sent,  I 
beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  his  letter  of  instructions. 


22  SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

Besides  the  official  testimonial  contained  in  this  letter,  Mr. 
Judson  will  carry  with  him  others,  and  particularly  one  from 
the  faculty  of  the  theological  institution  at  Andover — an  insti- 
tution which,  though  young,  is  fast  rising  in  importance,  and 
in  which,  both  on  account  of  the  principles  on  which  it  is 
founded,  and  the  ability  and  piety  with  which  it  is  conducted, 
great  confidence  is  reposed.  Should  these  testimonials  be  sat- 
isfactory, and  should  it  in  the  event  be  thought  best  that  our 
young  brethren  should  be  resigned  to  the  patronage  and  direc- 
tion of  your  society,  your  venerable  and  highly  respected  Board 
of  Directors  will  judge,  whether,  after  the  course  of  studies 
through  which  they  have  passed,  it  will  be  expedient  for  them 
to  spend  any  time  at  your  school  at  Gosport,  and  whether, 
for  any  purpose,  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  other  three  to 
go  to  England,  before  they  shall  be  actually  engaged  in  your 
service. 

It  may  no*-  be  improper  to  state,  that  some  of  the  young 
men  propose  to  take  wives  with  them  to  the  missionary  field. 
If  this  meet  the  approbation  of  your  board,  as  we  are  not  un- 
apprised of  the  laudable  care  which  you  take  in  regard  to  the 
character  not  only  of  your  missionaries  themselves,  but  also  of 
their  wives,  we  shall  certainly  consider  it  important  that  similar 
care  be  taken  here. 

With  great  personal  consideration,  and  in  behalf  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  I 
tender  to  you,  dear  sir,  and  through  you  to  your  brethren  of 
the  Board  of  Directors,  the  most  afi'ectionate  and  respectful 
salutations. 

Samuel  Worcester,   Cor.  Sec. 

Rev.  G-eorge  Burder,  Sec.  London  Miss.  Soc. 

Mr.  Judson  sailed  in  the  ship  Packet  for  London,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1811,  but  on  their  voj^age  the  vessel  was  captured  by  L' 
Invincible  Napoleon,  and  Mr.  Judson-,  with  other  prisoners, 
taken  to  France.  He  was  detained  for  several  weeks,  but, 
crossing  the  channel,  finally  reached  Dartmouth,  in  May,  in 
safety.     He  immediately  proceeded  to  London,  presented  his 


REV.    ADONIRAM   JUDSON,    D.D.  23 

letters,  and  was  received  with  every  mark  of  kind  esteem  by 
the  directors  of  the  London  Missionary  Society. 

The  result  of  his  errand  was  briefly  thi-s : 

The  London  Society  gave  no  encouragment  upon  the  subject 
of  joining  with  an  American  Board  for  Foreign  Missions,  but 
were  willing  to  receive  the  young  candidates  for  missionary 
service  into  their  own  number. 

A  society  for  the  support  of  Foreign  Missions  being  subse- 
quently formed  in  America,  Messrs.  A.  Judson,  Jr.,  S.  Nott, 
Jr.,  S.  Newell,  and  Gr.  Hall  were  appointed  missionaries,  undef 
the  direction  of  the  Board,  to  labor  in  Asia. 

During  the  year  1810,  while  on  a  visit  to  Bradford,  Mr. 
Judson  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Ann  Hasseltine,  who, 
on  the  5th  of  February,  1812,  became  his  wife. 

At  this  point  this  sketch  concludes,  as  the  remainder  of  Mr 
Judson's  useful  career  is  best  told  in  the  lives  of  Ann,  Sarah, 
and  Emily,  his  helpmates  and  co-operators  in  his  great  labor 
of  love  amongst  the  heathen. 


LIFE   OP 

ANN  HASSELTINE  JUDSON, 


FIRST  WIPB   OP 


REY.  ADONIRAM  JUDSON,  D.D. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH,   PARENTAGE,   EDUCATION,   AND   CONVERSION 

Ann  Hasseltine,  better  known  as  Mrs.  Ann  H.  Jud- 
son,  was  born  at  Bradford,  Massachusetts,  Dec.  22d, 
1789.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  Has- 
seltine. 

Of  her  early  life  but  little  can  be  gathered  from  the 
sources  before  me,  until  she  entered  the  Academy  at 
Bradford,  where  she  was  the  companion  and  friend  of 
the  martyr  missionary,  Harriet  Newell,  then  Harriet 
Atwood,  one  who  shared  with  Mrs.  Judson  the  glory  of 
being  the  first  female  missionary,  who  left  America  to 
carry  into  heathen  darkness  the  great  truths  of  Chris 
tianity. 

Ann  Hasseltine  gave  promise  very  early  of  superior 
intellectual  powers,  and  although  the  published  works 


26  LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

from  her  pen  were  written  under  the  most  unfavorable 
circumstances,  in  suffering,  sickness,  and  heavy  grief, 
they  present  unmistakable  evidences  of  a  vigorous  intel- 
lect, ready  pen,  and  deep  religious  feeling. 

During  her  first  years  at  school,  a  lively,  gay  disposi- 
tion, with  much  wit,  added  to  a  loving,  amiable  heart,  made 
her  a  great  favorite  both  in  her  school  and  in  society. 
Having  had,  at  that  time,  no  especial  religious  education, 
although  taught  that  it  was  her  duty  to  pray  daily,  and 
attend  divine  service  on  the  Lord's  day,  she  gave  her 
whole  attention  to  worldly  pursuits.  Full  of  life  and 
vivacity,  petted  and  courted  by  her  young  companions, 
she  plunged  with  a  keen  relish  into  a  giddy  whirl  of 
pleasure.  Night  after  night  found  her  the  centre  of  some 
gay  circle  of  young  companions,  thoughtless  as  herself, 
and  religion,  as  a  subject  of  vital  importance,  did  not 
enter  into  her  thoughts.  In  her  journal,  in  speaking  of 
this  period  of  her  life,  she  says  : — 

**  I  now  began  to  attend  balls  and  parties  of  pleasure, 
and  found  my  mind  completely  occupied  with  what  I 
daily  heard  were  '  innocent  amusements.'  My  conscience 
reproved  me,  not  for  engaging  in  these  amusements,  but 
for  neglecting  to  say  my  prayers,  and  read  my  Bible  on 
returning  from  them  ;  but  I  finally  put  a  stop  to  its  re- 
monstrances, by  thinking  that,  as  I  was  old  enough  to 
attend  balls,  I  was  surely  too  old  to  say  prayers.  Thus 
were  my  fears  quieted ;  and  for  two  or  three  years,  I 
scarcely  felt  an  anxious  thought  relative  to  the  salvation 
of  my  soul,  though  I  was  rapidly  verging  towards  eternal 
ruin.  My  disposition  was  gay  in  the  extreme  ;  my  sit- 
uation was  such  as  aiforded  me  opportunities  for  indulg- 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  27 

ing  it  to  the  utmost ;  I  was  surrounded  with  associates 
wild  and  volatile  like  myself,  and  often  thought  myself 
one  of  the  happiest  creatures  on  earth." 

The  change  from  this  state  of  mind  to  one  anxious 
for  her  soul's  eternal  welfare,  was  gradual.  Deeply- 
conscious  of  the  neglect  of  spiritual  good,  manifested  in 
the  gay  career  above  alluded  to,  her  first  months  of  reli- 
gious impressions  were  full  of  dark  forebodings,  despair, 
and  struggles  against  the  temptations  constantly  thrown 
before  her,  to  rejoin  the  gay  group  of  which  she  formed 
so  beloved  and  important  a  member. 

As,  however,  she  had  been  foremost  in  the  gay  throng, 
so,  now,  with  the  same  concentration  of  energy,  she  re- 
solved to  break  through  these  temptations,  and  become 
a  worthy  servant  of  the  God  who  invited  her  to  join  his 
band  of  followers.  Passing  out  of  the  dark  valley  of 
doubt  and  despair,  she  began  to  love  the  Lord  with  all 
the  fervor  of  a  warm,  impulsive  heart,  and  turning 
utterly  from  her  old  pursuits,  she  became  a  true  professor 
of  religion,  dedicated  to  serve  the  God  whose  name  she 
exalted,  and  whose  word  she  carried  into  the  heart  of  a 
heathen  country. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  1806,  she  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Bradford.  In  her 
journal  she  speaks  of  this  event  with  the  solemn,  earnest 
feeling  manifested  in  her  whole  life,  in  spiritual  mat- 
ters : — 

''''Sept.  14th,  1806.  I  have  this  day  publicly  professed 
myself  a  disciple  of  Christ,  and  covenanted  with  him  at 
his  sacred  table.  I  am  now  renewedly  bound  to  keep 
his  commandments  and  walk  in  his  steps.     Oh,  may  this 


28  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

solemn  covenant  never  be  broken  !  May  I  be  guarded 
from  the  vanities  of  this  life,  and  spend  all  my  days  in 
the  service  of  God.  Oh,  keep  me,  merciful  God,  keep 
me  ;  for  I  have  no  strength  of  my  own ;  I  shall  dis- 
honor thy  cause,  and  ruin  my  soul,  unless  guided  by 
thee !" 

On  leaving  the  academy,  deeply  imbued  with  religious 
feeling,  love  for  the  living  God,  and  an  earnest  desire  to 
be  useful  to  her  fellow-creatures,  she  opened  a  school, 
feeling,  she  said,  that  "  as  Providence  has  placed  me  in 
a  situation  of  life,  where  I  have  an  opportunity  of  get- 
ting as  good  an  education  as  I  desire,  I  feel  that  it  would 
be  highly  criminal  in  me  not  to  improve  it.  I  feel,  also, 
that  it  would  be  equally  criminal  to  desire  to  be  well  edu- 
cated and  accomplished,  from  selfish  motives,  with  a 
view  merely  to  gratify  my  taste  and  relish  for  improve- 
ment, or  my  pride  in  being  qualified  to  shine.  I  there- 
fore resolved,  last  winter,  to  attend  the  academy,  from 
no  other  motive  than  to  improve  the  talents  bestowed  by 
God,  so  as  to  be  more  extensively  devoted  to  his  glory 
and  the  benefit  of  my  fellow-creatures.  On  being  lately 
requested  to  take  a  small  school  for  a  few  months,  I  felt 
very  unqualified  to  have  the  charge  of  little  immortal 
souls  ;  but  the  hope  of  doing  them  good,  by  endeavor- 
ing to  impress  their  young  and  tender  minds  with  divine 
truth,  and  the  obligation  I  feel,  to  try  to  he  useful,  have 
induced  me  to  comply.'* 

Actuated  always  by  these  same  pious  impulses,  seek- 
ing strength  and  wisdom  for  her  new  duties  in  frequent, 
earnest  prayer^  she  kept  school  at  different  times  in 
Salem,  Haverhill,  and  Newbury.     Never,  in  her  anxiety. 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON ,  29 

to  cultivate  the  intellects  of  her  pupils,  did  she  forget 
for  an  instant  the  higher  interest  she  had  undertaken,  to 
guide  their  souls  to  heaven.  Opening  her  first  school 
with  prayer,  she  always  kept  before  her  scholars  the  im- 
portance of  seeking  Christ  early. 

During  the  years  which  followed  her  conversion,  and 
those  in  which  she  taught  school,  she  read  constantly  the 
religious  works  within  her  reach.  Guise,  Orton,  Scott, 
Edwards,  Hopkins,  Bellamy,  Doddridge,  Brainerd,  &c., 
were,  with  her,  books  for  daily  study  and  contemplation. 

Her  mind  was  now  fully  engrossed  with  religious 
ardor,  and,  as  with  her  studies,  her  gaieties,  and  her 
search  for  truth,  she  gave  her  heart  entirely  to  the  ob- 
ject before  her,  so  now,  having  once  laid  aside  worldly 
hopes,  she  bent  the  whole  energy  of  a  cultivated  intel- 
lect, solemn  conviction  of  truth,  and  ardent  and  enthu- 
siastic temperament,  and  great  decision  of  character,  to 
the  one  great  object  of  life,  to  honoring  and  glorifying 
the  name  of  her  Saviour. 

Thus  was  laid  the  foundation  of  that  pre-eminent  piety 
and  love  of  usefulness,  which  carried  the  self-sacrificing 
woman  through  fearful  scenes  and  severe  trials,  sufficient 
to  appall  the  stoutest  heart,  and  turn  back  any  laborer 
in  the  mii^sionary  field  governed  by  a  spirit  one  whit  less 
devoted  than  hers. 


80  LIFE   OF  ANN  HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 


CHAPTER   II. 

MARRIAGE  AND  VOYAGE    TO   INDIA CHANGE    OF  RELIGIOUS 

SENTIMENT ARRIVAL  AT  CALCUTTA DIFFICULTIES  WITH 

GOVERNMENT VOYAGE    TO   ISLE    OF   FRANCE ^DEATH    OF 

MRS.  NEWELL VOYAGE  TO  RANGOON. 

During  the  session  of  the  Massachusetts  Association 
at  Bradford  in  1810,  Miss  Hasseltine  first  met  the  young 
Adonirara  Judson,  then  in  all  the  fervor  of  his  desire  to 
go  forth  as  a  missionary.  The  friendship  then  formed 
ripened  into  a  warm  mutual  attachment,  and  Mr.  Judson 
made  Miss  Hasseltine  an  offer  of  marriage,  proposing 
that  she  should  accompany  him  in  his  missionary  enter- 
prise. 

It  was  not  without  much  prayer  and  long  meditation 
that  this  offer  was  accepted.  There  was  before  Miss 
Hasseltine  no  example  of  female  missionaries  from  her 
own  country.  Humble  in  her  spirit,  ever  doubtful  of 
her  own  efforts,  and  ever  seeking,  in  the  daily  routine 
of  home  duties,  strength  from  the  Most  High,  what  won- 
der that  she  hesitated  to  become  the  pioneer  of  her  sex 
in  America,  to  the  far  distant  heathen  ? 

Amongst  her  friends,  the  scheme  was,  with  few  excep' 
tions,  looked  upon  as  foolishly  romantic  and  Quixotic, 
and  every  dark  side  was  presented  to  her  in  its  deepest 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  31 

colors  to  discourage  the  idea.  With  a  heart  overflowing 
with  love  for  her  parents  and  relatives,  she  was  called 
upon  to  decide  to  leave  them,  never,  probably,  to  meet 
again  on  this  side  of  the  grave.  An  extract  from  her 
journal,  written  at  that  time,  shows  the  conflict  of  her 
spirit,  and  the  high,  pure  motives  bj  which  her  decision 
was  governed. 

"  Sept.  10,  1810.  For  several  weeks  past,  my  mind 
has  been  greatly  agitated.  An  opportunity  has  been 
presented  to  me,  of  spending  my  days  among  the  hea- 
then, in  attempting  to  persuade  them  to  receive  the  Gos- 
pel. Were  I  convinced  of  its  being  a  call  from  God, 
and  that  it  would  be  more  pleasing  to  him  for  me  to 
spend  my  life  in  this  way  than  in  any  other,  I  think  I 
should  be  willing  to  relinquish  every  earthly  object,  and, 
in  full  view  of  dangers  and  hardships,  give  myself  up  to 
the  great  work. 

"  A  consideration  of  this  subject  has  occasioned  much 
self-examination,  to  know  on  what  my  hopes  were  founded, 
and  whether  my  love  to  Jesus  was  sufficiently  strong  to 
induce  me  to  forsake  all  for  his  cause.  At  times  I  have 
felt  satisfied  that  I  loved  him,  on  account  of  his  own  glo- 
rious perfections,  and  have  been  desirous  that  he  should 
do  with  me  as  he  should  please,  and  place  me  in  that 
situation,  in  which  I  can  be  most  useful.  I  have  felt 
great  satisfaction  in  committing  this  case  to  God,  know- 
ing that  he  has  a  perfect  understanding  of  the  issue  of 
all  events,  is  infinitely  wise  to  select  the  means  best  cal- 
culated to  bring  about  the  most  important  ends,  and  is 
able  and  willing  to  make  the  path  of  duty  plain  before 
me,  and  incline  me  to  walk  therein.     At  other  times,  I 


32  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 

have  felt  ready  to  sink,  being  distressed  with  fears  about 
my  spiritual  state,  and  appalled  at  the  prospect  of  pain 
and  suffering,  to  which  my  nature  is  so  averse,  and  ap- 
prehensive, that  when  assailed  by  temptation,  or  exposed 
tti  danger  and  death,  I  should  not  be  able  to  endure,  as 
seolng  Hini  who  is  invisible.  But  I  now  feel  willing  to 
lea-ve  it  entirely  with  God.  He  is  the  fountain  of  all 
grace;  and  if  he  has  designed  me  to  be  a  promoter  of 
his  cause,  among  those  who  know  him  not,  he  can  qualify 
me  for  the  work,  and  enable  me  to  bear  whatever  he  is 
pleased  to  inflict.  I  am  fully  satisfied,  that  difiiculties 
and  trials  are  more  conducive  than  ease  and  prosperity, 
to  promote  my  growth  in  grace,  and  cherish  an  habitual 
sens€  of  dependence  on  God.  While  the  latter  please 
my  animal  nature,  and  lead  me  to  seek  happiness  in 
creature  enjoyments,  the  former  afford  convincing  proofs 
that  this  life  is  designed  to  be  a  state  of  trial,  and  not  a 
state  of  rest,  and  thus  tend  to  wean  me  from  the  world 
and  make  me  look  up  to  heaven  as  my  home.  Time  ap- 
pears nothing  when  compared  with  eternity,  and  yet 
events,  the  most  momentous,  depend  on  the  improvement 
of  these  fleeting  years.  0  Jesus,  direct  me,  and  I  am 
safe  ;  use  me  in  thy  service,  and  I  ask  no  more  !  I  would 
not  choose  my  portion  of  work,  or  place  of  labor ;  only 
let  me  know  thy  will,  and  I  will  readily  comply. 

"  Oct.  28.  My  mind  has  still  been  agitated  for  two 
or  three  weeks  past,  in  regard  to  the  above  mentioned 
subject.  But  I  have,  at  all  times,  felt  a  disposition  to 
leave  it  with  God,  and  trust  in  him  to  direct  me.  I  have, 
at  length,  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  if  nothing  in  pro- 
vidence appears  to  prevent,  I  must  spend  my  days  in  a 


LIFE    OF    AXN    HASSELTINE   JUDSOl^.  33 

heatlien  land.  I  am  a  creature  of  God,  and  he  has  an 
undoubted  right  to  do  with  me  as  seemeth  good  in  his 
sight.  I  rejoice  that  I  am  in  his  hands — that  he  is 
everywhere  present,  and  can  protect  me  in  one  place  as 
well  as  in  another.  He  has  my  heart  in  his  hands ;  and 
when  I  am  called  to  face  danger,  to  pass  through  scenes 
of  terror  and  distress,  he  can  inspire  me  with  fortitude, 
and  enable  me  to  trust  in  him.  Jesus  is  faithful ;  his 
promises  are  precious.  Were  it  not  for  these  considera- 
tions, I  should,  with  my  present  prospects,  sink  down 
in  despair,  especially  as  no  female  has,  to  my  knowledge, 
ever  left  the  shores  of  America  to  spend  her  life  among 
the  heathen ;  nor  do  I  yet  know  that  I  shall  have  a  sin- 
gle female  companion.  But  God  is  my  witness,  that  I 
have  not  dared  to  decline  the  offer  that  has  been  made 
me,  though  so  many  are  ready  to  call  it  a  'wild,  romantic 
undertaking.'  If  I  have  been  deceived  in  thinking  it 
my  duty  to  go  to  the  heathen,  I  humbly  pray  that  I  may 
be  undeceived,  and  prevented  from  going.  But  whether 
I  spend  my  days  in  India  or  America,  I  desire  to  spend 
them  in  the  service  of  God,  and  be  prepared  to  spend  an 
eternity  in  his  presence.  0  Jesus,  make  me  live  to  thee, 
and  I  desire  no  more !" 

With  no  romantic  views  upon  the  important  question 
she  was  called  upon  to  decide,  seeing  the  trials  and  hard- 
chips  clearly  before,  estimating  at  its  true  value  the 
sacrifice  she  was  making.  Miss  Hasseltine  told  Mr.  Jud- 
son  that  she  w^ould  become  his  wife  and  companion  in  the 
task  before  him.  Although  these  young  missionaries 
brought  to  this  great  work  youthful  enthusiasm  and  ar- 
dent love  for  the  cause  in  which  they  were  willing  to  em- 


34  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

bark  for  life,  they  did  not  allow  these  sentiments  to 
blind  them,  even  for  an  instant,  to  the  true  nature  of 
the  life  before  them.  There  was  no  adventurous  spirit 
longing  for  excitement  and  change.  Calmly,  solemnly, 
and  with  spirits  chastened  by  prayer,  they  estimated  the 
hazards  and  toils  of  their  future  life ;  they  went  forth 
strong  in  their  love  of  Christ,  earnest  in  their  resolve  to 
convert  the  heathen,  knowing  that  before  them  lay  a  life 
of  rigid  self-denial,  arduous  toil,  and,  most  probably,  an 
early  death.  The  letter  written  by  Mr.  Judson  to  Mr. 
Hasseltine  at  this  period,  shows  how  fully  he  appreciated 
these  trials  and  dangers.  After  alluding  to  his  proposal 
made  to  Miss  Hasseltine  herself,  he  says : 

"  I  have  now  to  ask  whether  you  can  consent  to  part 
with  your  daughter  early  next  spring,  to  see  her  no  more 
in  this  world ;  whether  you  can  consent  to  her  departure 
for  a  heathen  land,  and  her  subjection  to  the  hardships 
and  suiferings  of  a  missionary  life ;  whether  you  can 
consent  to  her  exposure  to  the  dangers  of  the  ocean ;  to 
the  fatal  influence  of  the  southern  climate  of  India  ;  to 
every  kind  of  want  and  distress ;  to  degradation,  insult, 
persecution,  and  perhaps  a  violent  death.  Can  you  con- 
sent to  all  this,  for  the  sake  of  Him  who  left  his  heavenly 
home,  and  died  for  her  and  for  you ;  for  the  sake  of 
perishing  immortal  souls ;  for  the  sake  of  Zion,  and  the 
glory  of  God  ?  Can  you  consent  to  all  this,  in  hope  of 
soon  meeting  your  daughter  in  the  world  of  glory,  with 
a  crown  of  righteousness,  brightened  by  the  acclamations 
of  praise  which  shall  redound  to  her  Saviour  from  hea- 
thens saved,  through  her  means,  from  eternal  wo  and 
despair?" 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  35 

In  a  letter  written  at  this  time  by  Mrs.  Judson  to  a, 
friend,  she  says : 

"  I  feel  willing,  and  expect,  if  nothing  in  providence 
prevents,  to  spend  my  days  in  this  world  in  heathen 
lands.  I  have  come  to  the  determination  to  give  up  all 
my  comforts  and  enjoyments  here,  sacrifice  my  afi'ection 
to  relatives  and  friends,  and  go  where  God,  in  his  provi- 
dence shall  see  fit  to  place  me.  My  determinations  are 
not  hasty,  or  formed  without  viewing  the  dangers,  trials, 
and  hardships  attendant  on  a  missionary  life.  Nor  were 
my  determinations  formed  in  consequence  of  an  attach- 
ment to  an  earthly  object;  but  with  a  sense  of  my  obli- 
gations to  God,  and  with  a  full  conviction  of  its  being 
a  call  in  providence,  and,  consequently,  my  duty." 

Mr.  Judson  married  Miss  Hasseltine  in  Bradford, 
February  5th,  1812,  and  on  the  nineteenth  of  the  same 
month,  they  embarked  for  Calcutta,  on  the  brig  Caravan. 
Thus  early  in  life,  for  she  had  just  entered  on  her  twen- 
ty-third year,  did  this  noble  woman  dedicate  herself  to 
the  great  cause  in  which  she  was  destined  to  fulfill  such 
honorable  and  important  duties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newell 
embarked  in  the  same  vessel,  the  latter  reaching  the  new 
home  where  she  so  desired  to  be  useful,  only  to  die,  an 
early  martyr  in  the  great  cause. 

It  was  during  this  voyage  that  the  change  of  religious 
sentiment,  from  Congregationalists  to  Baptists,  took 
place  in  the  minds  of  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson. 

They  arrived  in  Calcutta  on  the  18th  of  June,  1812, 
and  were  received  by  the  venerable  Dr.  Carey,  who  con- 
ducted them  to  his  own  home  at  Serampore.  The  follow- 
ing extracts  show  how  the  change  in  their  religious  feel- 


36  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

ings  occurred,  and  also  how  much  anxiety  with  regard  ta 
worldly  prospects  it  plunged  them  into : — 

FROM  MRS.    JUDSON  TO    HER    PARENTS. 

Isle  of  France,  Port  Louis,  Feh.  lAth,  1813. 
I  will  now,  my  dear  parents  and  sisters,  give  you 
some  account  of  our  change  of  sentiment,  relative  to  the 
subject  of  baptism.  Mr.  Judson's  doubts  commenced  on 
our  passage  from  America.  While  translating  the  New 
Testament,  in  which  he  was  engaged,  he  used  frequently 
to  say  that  the  Baptists  were  right  in  their  mode  of  ad- 
ministering the  ordinance.  Knowing  he  should  meet  the 
Baptists  at  Serampore,  he  felt  it  important  to  attend  to 
it  more  closely,  to  be  able  to  defend  his  sentiments. 
After  our  arrival  at  Serampore,  his  mind  for  two  or  three 
weeks  was  so  much  taken  up  with  missionary  inquiries 
and  our  difficulties  with  government,  as  to  prevent  his 
attending  to  the  subject  of  baptism.  But  as  we  were 
waiting  the  arrival  of  our  brethren,  and  having  nothing 
m  particular  to  attend  to,  he  again  took  up  the  subject. 
I  tried  to  have  him  give  it  up,  and  rest  satisfied  in  his 
old  sentiments,  and  frequently  told  him  if  he  became  a 
Baptist,  I  would  not.  He,  however,  said  he  felt  it  his 
duty  to  examine  closely  a  subject  on  which  he  had  so 
many  doubts.  After  we  removed  to  Calcutta,  he  found 
in  the  library  in  our  chamber,  many  books  on  both  sides, 
which  he  determined  to  read  candidly  and  prayerfully, 
and  to  hold  fast,  or  embrace  the  truth,  however  mortify- 
ing, however  great  the  sacrifice.  I  now  commenced 
reading  on  the  subject,  with  all  my  prejudices  on  the 
Pedobaptist  side.     We  had  with  us,  Dr.  Worcester's,  Dr. 


LIFE   OF   ANN  HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  37 

Ar^-^nns,  Peter  Edwards's,  and  other  Pedobaptist  wri- 
tingSc  B\it,  after  closely  examining  the  subject  for  sev- 
eral weoks,  we  were  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  the 
truth  appeared  to  lie  on  the  Baptists'  side.  It  was  ex- 
tremely trying  to  reflect  on  the  consequences  of  our 
becoming  Baptists.  We  knew  it  would  wound  and  grieve 
our  dear  christian  friends  in  America — that  we  should 
lose  their  approbation  and  esteem.  We  thought  it  pro- 
bable that  the  commissioners  would  refuse  to  support  us  ; 
and,  what  was  more  distressing  than  anything,  we  knew 
we  must  be  separated  from  our  missionary  associates,  and 
go  alone  to  some  heathen  land.  These  things  were  very 
trying  to  us,  and  caused  our  hearts  to  bleed  for  anguish. 
We  felt  we  had  no  home  in  this  world,  and  no  friend  but 
each  other.  Our  friends  at  Serampore  were  extremely 
surprised  when  we  wrote  them  a  letter  requesting  bap- 
tism, as  they  had  known  nothing  of  our  having  had  any 
doubts  on  the  subject.  We  were  baptized  on  the  6th  of 
September,  in  the  Baptist  chapel  in  Calcutta.  Mr.  J. 
preached  a  sermon  at  Calcutta,  on  this  subject,  soon  after 
we  were  baptized,  which,  in  compliance  with  the  request 
of  a  number  who  heard  it,  he  has  been  preparing  for  the 
press.  Brother  Rice  was  baptized  several  weeks  aftei 
we  were.  It  was  a  very  great  relief  to  our  minds  to 
have  him  join  us,  as  we  expected  to  be  entirely  alone  in 
a  mission. 

Mr.  Judson  writes  thus  to  the  Kev.  Br.  Bolles  of 
Salem  : — 


38  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 


TO    THE    REV.    DR.    BOLLES.  SALEM,    MASS. 

Calcutta,  Sept.  \st,  1812. 

Rev.  Sir  : — I  recollect  that,  during  a  short  interview 
I  had  with  you  in  Salem,  I  suggested  the  formation  of  a 
society  among  the  Baptists  in  America  for  the  support 
of  foreign  missions,  in  imitation  of  the  exertions  of  your 
English  brethren.  Little  did  I  then  expect  to  be  person- 
ally concerned  in  such  an  attempt. 

Within  a  few  months,  I  have  experienced  an  entire 
change  of  sentiments  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  My 
doubts  concerning  the  correctness  of  my  former  system 
of  belief  commenced  during  my  passage  from  America 
to  this  country  ;  and  after  many  painful  trials,  which  none 
can  know  but  those  who  are  taught  to  relinquish  a  sys- 
tem in  which  they  had  been  educated,  I  settled  down  in 
the  full  persuasion  that  the  immersion  of  a  professing 
believer  in  Christ  'is  the  only  Christian  baptism. 

Mrs.  Judson  is  united  with  me  in  this  persuasion.  We 
have  signified  our  views  and  wishes  to  the  Baptist  mis- 
sionaries at  Serampore,  and  expect  to  be  baptized  in  this 
city  next  Lord's  day. 

A  separation  from  my  missionary  brethren,  and  a  dis- 
solution of  my  connection  with  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners, seem  to  be  necessary  consequences.  The  mis- 
sionaries at  Serampore  are  exerted  to  the  utmost  of  their 
ability  in  managing  and  supporting  their  extensive  and 
complicated  mission. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  look  to  you.  Alone,  in 
this  foreign  heathen  land,  I  make  my  appeal  to  those 


LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINB    JUDSON.  35 

whom,  with  their  permission,  I  will  call  my  Baptist  hre- 
thren  in  the  United  States. 

With  the  advice  of  the  brethren  at  Serampore,  I  am 
contemplating  a  mission  on  one  of  the  eastern  islands. 
They  have  lately  sent  their  brother  Chater  to  Ceylon, 
and  their  brother  Robinson  to  Java.  At  present,  Am- 
boyna  seems  to  present  the  most  favorable  opening. 
Fifty  thousand  souls  are  there  perishing  without  the 
means  of  life ;  and  the  situation  of  the  island  is  such 
that  a  mission  there  established  might,  with  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  be  extended  to  the  neighboring  islands  in 
those  seas. 

But  should  I  go  thither,  it  is  a  most  painful  reflectioE 
that  I  must  go  alone,  and  also  uncertain  of  the  means 
of  support.  But  I  will  trust  in  God.  He  has  fre- 
quently enabled  me  to  praise  his  divine  goodness,  and 
will  never  forsake  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him.  I 
am,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 

Adoniram  Judson,  Jr. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  extracts  that  the  motives 
which  actuated  the  young  missionaries  were  of  the  purest, 
most  exalted  nature.  They  saw  before  them  a  separation 
from  the  religious  society  upon  which  they  depended  for 
support,  with  no  certain  prospect  that  their  "  Baptist 
brethren"  in  America  would  afford  them  protection  or 
support.  They  were  in  a  foreign  land,  far  from  the 
possibility  of  exerting  any  personal  influence,  knowing 
that  it  must  be  months  before  the  news  of  their  change 
of  sentiment  could  be   carried  home,  and  months  more 


iO  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

must  elapse  before  tlie  answer  to  their  appeal  to  the 
Baptist  Church  in  America  could  be  received.  Yet,  with 
a  firm  conviction  of  the  truth  of  their  new  religious 
feelings,  and  an  entire  reliance  upon  heavenly  support, 
they  faced  the  future  bravely,  praying  only  for  strength 
to  do  the  will  of  their  Heavenly  Father. 

A  new  trial  now  awaited  them.  Fearing  that  the  in- 
crease of  knowledge,  and  the  introduction  of  Christian- 
ity amongst  the  Hindoos,  would  incite  them  to  rebellionj 
the  East  India  Company  most  resolutely  opposed  mission- 
ary labors  in  the  East.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Newell,  and  Mr.  Rice,  just  entering  upon  the  field 
of  their  hoped-for  labors,  received  cordially  by  the  Eng- 
lish missionary  at  Serampore,  were  congratuhating  them- 
selves upon  the  prospect  of  usefulness  before  them,  when 
they  were  summoned  to  Calcutta.  Here  an  order  was 
read,  requiring  them  immediately  to  re-embark  for  Ame- 
rica. Seeing  in  such  a  course  the  death-blow  of  all  their 
hopes,  they  petitioned  for  leave  to  remove  to  some  other 
portion  of  India.  This  was  denied  them.  Again  they 
pleaded,  and  finally  obtained  permission  to  embark  for 
the  Isle  of  France.  Another  diflSculty  now  arose.  The 
only  vessel  then  leaving  for  the  Isle  of  France,  could 
carry  but  two  passengers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newell  were 
the  two  who  embarked  in  August  for  Port  Louis,  while 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  and  Mr.  Rice  remained  at  Cal- 
cutta. 

Again  a  peremptory  order  was,  after  a  lapse  of  two 
months,  sent  to  them,  requiring  them  to  leave  the  country 
for  England,  in  one  of  the  company's  ships.  Mrs.  Jud- 
Bon  says,  "  They  issued  a  most  peremptory  order  for  our 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  41 

being  sent  immediately  on  board  on??  of  the  Honorable 
Company's  vessels,  bound  to  England.  A  petty  officer 
accompanied  Messrs.  Rice  and  Jadson  to  their  place  of 
residence  and  requested  them  not  to  leave  it  without  per- 
mission. Mr.  Rice  and  Mr.  Judson,  however,  soon  as- 
certained, that  a  vessel  would  sail  for  the  Isle  of  France 
in  two  days.  They  applied  for  a  pass  from  the  chief 
magistrate,  but  were  refused.  They  communicated  to 
the  captain  of  the  ship  their  circumstances,  and  asked  if 
he  would  venture  to  take  them  on  board  without  a  pass. 
He  replied  that  he  would  be  neutral ;  there  was  his  ship 
and  they  might  do  as  they  pleased." 

Accepting  this  as  a  permission,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson, 
and  Mr.  Rice  sent  their  baggage  to  the  vessel,  and  them- 
selves embarked.  They  had  proceeded  but  a  short  dis- 
tance when  an  order  was  sent  from  Calcutta,  directing  the 
vessel  to  remain  stationary  until  the  missionaries  left  it^ 
as  government  had  refused  them  a  pass.  At  first  there 
seemed  a  prospect  of  evading  the  order,  but  finally  the 
three  missionaries  left  the  vessel.  Mr.  Rice  returned  to 
Calcutta,  leaving  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  at  a  tavern  on 
the  coast.  Mr.  Judson  left  his  wife  to  try  to  obtain  a 
passage  in  another  vessel,  and  alone,  a  stranger  and  fe- 
male, this  heroic  woman  remained  on  shore  with  the 
baggage.  Mr.  Judson  returned  after  a  vain  search,  and 
the  Creole,  the  vessel  in  which  they  left  Calcutta,  having 
gone  on  her  voyage,  there  seemed  no  prospect  but  to  re- 
turn to  Calcutta  and  obey  the  government's  orders. 
Whilst  they  were  in  this  strait,  a  letter  containing  the 
desired  pass  in  the  Creole  was  forwarded  by  an  unknown 
-friend.     They  had  been  on  shore  for  three  days,  how- 


42  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 

ever,  and  there  was  every  reason  to  suppose  the  Creole 
far  beyond  their  reach.  There  was  a  possibihty,  now- 
ever,  of  her  having  anchored  seventy  miles  from  where 
they  were,  at  Saugur,  and  they  embarked  on  this  frail 
hope,  to  overtake  her.  Providence  guided  them,  and 
they  found  their  hopes  realized ;  the  Creole  was  at  Sau- 
gur, and  they  again  went  on  board. 

Heavy  tidings  awaited  them  at  the  Isle  of  France. 
Harriet  Newell,  Mrs.  Judson's  school-mate,  friend,  and 
dear  companion  in  the  missionary  enterprise,  was  dead. 
This  was  a  heavy  blow  to  Mrs.  Judson ;  it  was  the  sever- 
ing of  one  of  the  tenderest  ties  in  her  new  life,  and  it 
required  all  her  Christian  fortitude  to  bear  with  resigna- 
tion this  heavy  blow. 

Mr.  Rice,  in  the  meantime,  embarked  for  America  to 
endeavor  to  awaken  the  Baptists  of  this  country  to  the 
importance  of  Foreign  Missions.  He  was  eminently 
successful.  A  Baptist  General  Convention  was  formed 
in  Philadelphia,  and  other  societies  in  all  parts  of  the 
country.  One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Convention  was 
the  appointment  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  as  their  mis- 
sionaries, leaving  the  field  of  labor  to  their  own  judg- 
ment. 

During  the  short  stay  of  the  two  missionaries  in  the 
Isle  of  France,  Mrs.  Judson  was  ill,  at  one  time  she 
writes  her  own  feeling  that  death  was  not  far  from  her, 
but  she  recovered,  and  in  May,  1813,  left  Port  Louis 
with  her  husband  for  Madras.  Here  they  hoped  to  find 
a  passage  to  Penang,  but  were  disappointed.  They  were 
received  with  much  kindness  by  the  English  missionaries 
at  Madras,  and  finding  a  vessel  about  to  embark  for 


LIFE    OP   ANN    HASSELTINB   JUDSON.  43 

Rangoon,  thej  decided  to  take  a  passage  for  that  place. 
Thus,  spite  of  their  fears  and  the  discouragements 
thrown  in  their  "waj,  they  were,  by  a  succession  of  pro- 
vidential occurrences,  embarked  for  the  Burman  Empire. 

This  step  was  one  which,  more  than  any  preceding 
one,  marked  the  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  this  noble 
couple.  In  their  passage  from  America  they  had  loved 
companions,  whose  lot  was  cast  wdth  theirs,  and  whose 
society  ameliorated  every  hardship.  In  resolving  to  go 
to  Rangoon,  they  bade  farewell  to  every  friend,  to  em- 
bark alone  for  a  nation  the  most  barbarous  and  bigoted 
on  the  face  of  the  globe.  There  was  not  one  friend  to 
accompany  them,  nor  was  there  any  prospect  of  a  re- 
union with  those  they  left.  Yet,  seeing  that  Providence 
opened  a  way  towards  this  vast  field  for  missionary  labor, 
they  unhesitatingly  embarked,  to  encounter,  alone,  the 
hardships  before  them. 

In 'the  year  1815,  Mr.  Hough  and  his  wife  were  apr 
pointed,  by  the  Baptist  Board,  missionaries,  to  assist 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  in  Burmah. 

On  the  passage  to  Rangoon  Mrs.  Judson  was  taken 
dangerously  ill.  A  female  attendant  had  been  engaged 
at  Madras  to  nurse  her,  but  died  suddenly  on  board  the 
vessel,  leaving  her  without  any  female  attendant.  '  She 
partially  recovered  her  health  before  landing  in  Ran- 
goon, though  she  was  so  feeble  that  it  was  necessary  to 
carry  her  ashore  in  a  litter.     She  writes  : 

"  We  felt  very  gloomy  and  dejected  the  first  night  we 
arrived,  in  view  of  our  prospects ;  but  we  were  enabled 
to  lean  on  God,  and  to  feel  that  he  was  able  to  support 
us   under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances.      The 


44  LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

next  morning  I  prepared  to  go  on  shore,  but  hardly 
knew  how  I  should  get  to  Mr.  Carey's  house,  as  there 
was  no  method  of  conveyance,  except  a  horse,  which  I 
was  unable  to  ride.  It  was,  however,  concluded  that  I 
should  be  carried  in  an  armed  chair;  consequently  when 
I  landed,  one  was  provided,  through  which  were  put  two 
bamboos,  and  four  of  the  natives  took  me  on  their  shoul- 
ders. When  they  had  carried  me  a  little  way  into  the 
town,  they  set  me  down  under  a  shade,  when  great  num- 
bers of  the  natives  gathered  around,  as  they  had  seldom 
seen  an  English  female.  Being  sick  and  weak,  I  held 
my  head  down,  which  induced  many  of  the  native  fe- 
males to  come  very  near,  and  look  under  my  bonnet 
At  this  I  looked  up  and  smiled,  at  vrhich  they  set  up  a 
loud  laugh.  They  again  took  me  up  to  carry,  and  the 
multitude  of  natives  gave  a  shout,  which  much  diverted 
us.  They  next  carried  me  to  a  place  they  call  the  cus- 
tom house.  It  was  a  small  open  shed,  in  which  were 
seated  on  mats  several  natives,  who  were  the  custom- 
house officers.  After  searching  Mr.  Judson  very  closely 
they  asked  liberty  for  a  native  female  to  search  me,  to 
which  I  readily  consented.  I  was  then  brought  to  the 
mission-house,  where  I  have  entirely  recovered  my 
health." 

In  order  fully  to  comprehend  the  magnitude  of  the 
task  now  before  these  two  noble  missionaries,  the  reader 
should  understand  the  state  of  the  Burman  Empire,  at 
the  period  of  their  arrival,  and  realize  the  bigoted  feel- 
ings of  the  natives  upon  religion. 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  46 


CHAPTER  III. 

DESCRIPTION    OF   THE   BURMAN  EMPIRE,  AND  THE   BURMESE 
RELIGION. 

From  the  Memoirs  of  Dr.  Judson,  by  the  Rev.  Fran- 
cis Wayland,  1  quote  the  following  account  of  the  Bur- 
man  Empire  : — 

"  The  Burman  empire  occupies  that  extensive  region 
of  Eastern  India,  or  India  beyond  the  Ganges,  which 
lies  betw^een  the  British  possessions  on  the  west  and  Siam 
and  China  on  the  east,  being  bounded  by  Thibet  on  the 
north,  and  the  Bay  of  Bengal  on  the  south.  At  the  time 
of  Mr.  Judson's  arrival,  its  extent  was  considerably 
greater  than  at  present.  Its  sea  coast  then  stretched 
from  the  southern  limits  of  the  province  of  Chittagong 
to  Junk  Ceylon,  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  Tenas- 
serim  provinces.  It  thus  commanded  more  than  a  third 
part  of  the  Bay  of  Bengal.  Its  length  was  about  ten 
hundred  and  twenty  miles,  and  its  breadth  about  six  hun- 
dred. 

"By  the  treaty  of  Yandabo,  theBurmans  ceded  to  Great 
Britain  the  larger  part  of  their  territory  lying  upon  the 
sea  coast.  This  included  the  province  of  Arracan  from 
Chittagong  to  Cape  Negrais  on  the  east,  and  the  Tenas- 


46  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

serim  provinces  from  the  mouth  of  the  Salwen  River  to 
Junk  Ceylon.  Their  sea  coast  is  now  bounded  by  Cape 
Negrais  on  the  west,  and  Martaban  on  the  east,  embra- 
cing the  district  occupied  by  the  numerous  mouths  of  the 
Irrawadi  River.  Its  length  is  now  about  seven  hundred 
and  twenty,  and  its  breadth  about  four  hundred  miles, 
Its  two  principal  seaports  are  Rangoon  on  the  eastern, 
and  Bassein  on  the  western  branch  of  the  Irrawadi. 
Both  are  very  favorably  situated  for  commerce.  Rangoon 
is  said  by  English  writers  to  possess  the  finest  capabilitiea 
of  any  port  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal. 

"  The  great  river  of  Burmah  is  the  Irrawadi,  which, 
rising  in  the  Chinese  province  of  Yunan,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  flexure  to  the  west,  between  Ava  and  Pugan, 
pursues  a  course  almost  directly  south.  The  Kyen  Dwen, 
a  large  tributary  from  the  north,  unites  with  it  at  Yan- 
dabo.  A  smaller  stream  from  the  east  empties  into  it 
at  Ava.  The  Salwen  River,  the  eastern  boundary  of 
Burmah,  communicates  by  numerous  branches  with  the 
Irrawadi,  watering  the  intermediate  region,  and  opening 
facilities  for  internal  navigation  for  the  regions  which 
occupy  the  central  part  of  the  empire. 

"  A  few  miles  from  the  town  of  Sarwa,  the  Irrawadi 
divides  into  two  branches,  the  one  pursuing  a  south-east- 
ern, the  other  a  south-western  course  to  the  Bay  of  Ben- 
gal. From  each  of  these  smaller  branches,  proceed  in 
every  direction,  uniting  with  each  other,  and  forming  a 
perfect  network  of  navigable  waters,  which  '  covers  the 
whole  peninsula  from  the  base  of  the  Arracan  Mountains 
to  the  banks  of  the  Salwen  River.  These  various  streams, 
or  natural  canals,  at  last  enter   the  Bay  of  Bengal  by 


LIFE   OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  47 

fourteen  separate  channels.  Most  of  them  are,  however, 
rendered  useless  for  foreign  commerce  by  sand  bars,  which 
obstruct  navigation. 

"  From  the  sea  coast  to  nearly  the  latitude  of  Prome, 
the  country  is  a  level,  alluvial  plain,  intersected,  as  I 
have  remarked,  by  innumerable  watercourses.  The  soil 
is  exceedingly  productive,  and  is  specially  adapted  to  the 
cultivation  of  rice,  the  universal  diet  of  the  inhabitants 
of  India.  This  is,  therefore,  the  granary  of  the  empire. 
Ascending  the  river,  as  you  leave  Prome,  the  face  of  the 
country  changes.  High  ranges  of  mountains  appear  on 
the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  and  the  intermediate  re- 
gion becomes  undulating  and  hilly.  The  mountains 
approach  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  river,  until  th'e  banks 
become  steep  and  precipitous.  Above  the  latitude  of  Ava, 
the  whole  region  is  intersected  by  mountain  ranges  run- 
ning north  and  south,  and  penetrating  Asam  on  the  west 
and  the  province  of  Yunan  on  the  east. 

"  The  portions  of  Burmah  ceded  to  the  British  at  the 
close  of  the  last  war,  were  the  kingdom  of  Arracan  and 
the  Tenasserim  provinces.*  The  former  is  generally 
hilly,  with  extensive  alluvial  flats  near  the  sea,  and  along 
the  numerous  streams,  fertile,  and  adapted  to  the  culti- 
vation of  rice.  Akyab,  the  principal  port,  has  a  secure 
and  convenient  harbor.     Of  the  Tenasserim  provinces, 

*  Since  this  paragraph  was  written,  the  Burman  empire  has 
been  again  dismembered,  and  the  British  have  annexed  to  the 
lx)ssessions  of  the  Hon.  East  India  Company  the  kingdom  of 
Pegu,  which  formed  the  whole  lower  portion  of  the  country. 
The  Burmans  thus  have  lost  the  whole  of  their  territory  lying 
on  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  their  southern  limit  being  to  the  north 
of  Prome. 


48  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  principal  rivers  are  the  various  branches  of  tlie  Sal- 
wen,  the  Ataran,  the  Tavoy,  and  the  Mergui  rivers. 
Most  of  these  streams  are,  for  a  short  distance,  naviga- 
ble for  vessels  of  considerable  burden,  and  must,  in  time, 
become  the  homes  of  extensive  commerce. 

"  Respecting  the  population  of  Burmah,  the  diiference 
of  the  estimates  is  quite  remarkable.  Colonel  Sjmes^ 
who  visited  the  empire  in  the  year  1795,  supposed  ths 
number  of  inhabitants  to  be  about  seventeen  millions. 
When  the  Baptist  mission  was  first  established  in  Ban- 
goon,  this  computation  was  supposed  to  be  correct,  and 
it  was  frequently  said  that  the  population  of  Burmah 
equaled  that  of  the  United  States.  Later  travelers 
have  reduced  i-t  to  eight  millions.  Crawford,  after  as 
careful  a  computation  as  he  was  able  to  form,  does  not 
believe  that  it  exceeds  four  millions.  Dr.  Malcom  be- 
lieves that  there  may  be  three  million  Burmans,  three 
million  Shyans,  and  probably  two  millions  of  other 
tribes,  subject  to  the  Burman  dominion.  When  estimates 
of  this  kind  are  made,  the  lowest  is,  I  think,  most  likely 
to  be  correct.  Travelers,  in  such  a  country  as  this, 
must,  of  necessity,  pursue  the  most  frequented  routes, 
and  follow  the  most  navigable  watercourses.  These, 
being  always  the  most  thickly-peopled  portions  of  a 
country,  would  naturally"  convey  an  exaggerated  idea  of 
its  population.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  more  accurate 
investigation  than  is  now  possible  will  show  that  the 
population  of  the  empire  and  its  present  dependencies 
does  not  exceed  six  or  eight  millions.* 

*  The  population  has  since  been  greatly  reduced  by  the  loss 
of  the  kiuffdom. 


LIFE   OF   ANN  HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  49 

*<A  large  portion  of  the  soil  of  Burmah  is  fertile,  and 
under  a  good  government  would  be  remarkably  produc- 
tive. The  lower  provinces,  from  the  sea  to  the  latitude 
of  Prome,  produce,  as  I  have  said,  rice  in  great  abun- 
dance. In  the  more  elevated  districts,  cotton  of  a  good 
quality,  of  a  soft  and  silky  texture,  but  of  short  staple, 
is  everywhere  cultivated.  The  teak  tree,  the  best  ship 
timber  in  the  world,  grows  on  the  mountains.  Maize, 
wheat,  millet,  and  various  kinds  of  pulses,  with  the  usual 
variety  of  edible  roots,  and  a  multitude  of  tropical  fruits, 
are  produced  with  very  little  labor.  The  domestic 
animals  are  such  as  are  common  in  India — the  buffalo, 
braminy  cattle,  the  horse  and  the  goat;  and  in  the  forests 
are  found  the  elephant,  the  rhinoceros,  the  tiger,  and 
several  varieties  of  the  deer. 

"  The  mineral  wealth  of  Burmah  is  probably  great.  It 
possesses  mines  of  iron,  tin,  silver,  and  gold,  and  pro- 
duces sapphires,  emeralds,  and  rubies,  with  amber  in 
large  quantities.  Sulphur,  arsenic,  and  antimony  are 
found  in  abundance,  and  coal,  both  anthracite  and  bitu- 
minous, exists  in  various  places,  but  has  not  yet  been 
brought  into  use.  On  the  banks  of  the  Irawadi,  a  short 
distance  above  Prome,  petroleum  is  obtained  in  large 
quantities.  The  annual  yield  of  the  wells  here  is  said 
by  Dr.  Malcom  to  be  about  eighty  millions  of  pounds. 
Marble  is  found  in  various  places,  and  some  of  the 
quarries  yield  a  product  which  is  said,  for  statuary  pur- 
poses, to  equal  that  from  Carrara. 

"The  commerce  of  the  empire  is  but  limited.  The 
Burmans  are  intelligent  and  industrious,  and  under  a 
good  government  would  probably  soon  excel  in  manufac- 
4 


50  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

tures.  Under  the  protection  of  English  employers,  they 
at  one  time  became  excellent  ship  builders  at  Rangoon. 
But  manufactures  require  fixed  capital,  and  when  the 
possession  of  capital  invites  oppression  and  spoliation, 
they  cannot  exist.  Hence  the  exports  of  Burmah  are 
limited  almost  exclusively  to  the  raw  materials  produced 
by  their  unskilful  labor.  The  most  important  of  them 
are  teak  wood,  raw  cotton,  both  white  and  yellow,  precious 
stones,  and  lackered  ware.  Teak  wood  is  sent  to  Cal- 
cutta, and  is  mostly  used  in  the  naval  service  of  Great 
Britain.  Cotton  and  precious  stones,  lackered  ware,  and 
edible  birds'  nests  are  sent  to  China.  The  English  send, 
in  return,  cotton  fabrics,  hardware,  cutlery,  and  old 
muskets.  The  Chinese  bring  principally  raw  silk,  which 
is  made  into  coarse  goods  by  the  Burmans,  and  the  vel- 
vets which  are  worn  on  state  occasions  by  the  grandees 
of  the  empire.  Rice,  salt,  and  salt  fish  are  carried  from 
the  southern  provinces  and  the  sea  coast  to  the  upper 
country,  and  exchanged  for  lackered  ware,  raw  cotton, 
precious  stones,  metals,  and  petroleum. 

"The  government  of  Burmah  is  an  unmitigated  despot- 
ism of  the  sternest  character.  The  king  is  the  acknow- 
ledged possessor  of  the  soil,  and  the  people  are  his  slaves. 
He  is  lord  of  the  life  and  property  of  all  his  subjects. 
No  rank  or  office  protects  a  citizen  from  the  liability  of 
being  ordered  to  immediate  execution,  if  such  be  the  will 
of  the  monarch.  Several  of  the  commanders  who  were 
defeated  in  the  last  war  with  the  British  were  beheaded 
within  a  few  hours  of  their  arrival  at  the  capitol.  When 
a  man  is  put  to  death  by  the  order  of  the  king,  his 
property  reverts   to  the  crown.     Henci  the  possession 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  51 

of  large  wealth  becomes  a   somewhat  unenviable   dis- 
tinction. 

"  The  government  of  the  empire  is  administered  by  a 
council  of  state,  appointed  by  the  king.  This  council  is 
called  collectively  lut-d'hau,  from  the  name  of  the  hall 
in  which  its  business  is  transacted.  The  counselors  are 
four  in  number,  unless,  as  it  sometimes  happens,  on  a 
special  emergency,  another  member  is  added.  These 
officers  are  called  woon-gyees.  All  public  matters  are 
discussed  in  this  council,  and  the  decision  is  by  the 
majority  of  voices.  Every  royal  edict  is  by  usage  sanc- 
tioned by  this  council,  and,  in  fact,  appears  in  their 
name,  rather  than  in  that  of  the  king.  Their  functions 
are  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive. 

"Each  woon-gyee  has  a  deputy,  who  is  called  a  woon- 
douk.  The  woon-douks,  although  they  sit  in  council, 
neither  deliberate  nor  vote.  Whatever  business  they 
transact  is  in  the  name  of  their  superiors. 

"The  woon-douks  have  also  their  assistants,  who  are 
called  sara-dau-gyee.  They  are  from  eight  to  ten  in 
number.  These  are,  in  fact,  the  secretaries  of  the  lut- 
d'hau,  and  their  business  is  to  record  its  proceedings. 
Their  name  signifies  'great  royal  scribes.' 

"A  second  council  forms  another  branch  of  the  gov- 
ernment. This,  like  the  other,  consists  of  four  members 
Their  title  is  atwen-woon,  meaning  '  inside'  ministers  of 
state.*  These  officers  constitute  the  priv^ate  advisers  oi 
the  king.  Whatever  emanates  directly  from  him  is  first 
discussed  in  this  privy  council,  before  it  is  transmitted 
to  the  lut-d'hau.  It  deliberates  and  votes  like  the 
*  Inside  ministers,  or  privy  counselors. 


52  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

superior  council,  and  its  members  exercise  also  judicial 
functions.  It  is  a  matter  of  dispute  at  the  court  of  Ava 
whether  the  rank  of  atwen-woon  or  of  woon-douk  be  the 
higher. 

"Attached  to  the  privy  council  are  secretaries,  com- 
monly thirty  in  number.  These  are  called  than-dau- 
sens.  They  hold  the  same  relation  to  the  atwen-woons 
that  the  woon-douks  hold  to  the  woon-gyees.  Their 
business  is  to  record  the  proceedings  of  the  council,  to 
take  minutes  of  the  king's  commands,  and  to  read  and 
report  upon  petitions.  Attached  to  both  of  these  coun- 
cils are  four  or  five  ofiicers,  called  nakandau,  meaning 
*  deputies  of  the  royal  star.'  Their  business  is,  nomi- 
nally, to  convey  messages  between  the  two  councils,  but, 
really,  to  report  to  the  king  what  is  done  in  the  lut- 
d'hau. 

"  Such  is  the  theory  of  the  government.  In  practice, 
however,  a  council  which  may  be  degraded  or  executed 
at  the  word  of  the  monarch  must  be  useless  as  advisers. 
In  the  former  war  with  Great  Britain,  they  frequently 
did  not  dare  to  make  known  the  facts  to  the  king,  or 
even  offer  their  opinions  upon  the  state  of  affairs.  They 
are  really  the  passive  instruments  for  carrying  into  effect 
the  will  of  the  monarch.  They  are  willing  to  live  in 
constant  apprehension  of  disgrace  and  death,  for  the 
privilege  of  subjecting  all  below  them  to  the  same  condi- 
tion. Political  life  seems  too  much  the  same  in  all  coun- 
tries. 

"  The  rank  of  every  ofiicer  of  government  is  determined 
by  the  tsalway,  or  golden  chain,  which  passes  over  the 
left  shoulder,  and  crosses  the  breast.     In  front  it  is  di- 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  o3 

vided  into  several  strands  of  chain  work.  Three  com- 
mon strands  indicate  the  lowest  grade  of  office ;  three 
of  more  elaborate  workmanship  the  next  above ;  thee 
come  those  of  six,  nine,  and  twelve,  which  last  number 
indicates  the  highest  rank  attainable  by  a  subject. 
Princes  of  the  blood  most  nearly  related  to  the  king 
wear  eighteen.  The  monarch  himself  alone  wears  twenty- 
four. 

"  The  civil  administration  is  organized  as  follows  :  The 
kingdom  is  divided  into  provinces,  provinces  into  town- 
ships, townships  into  districts,  and  districts  into  villages 
or  hamlets. 

"  The  governor  of  a  province  is  called  myo-woon,  and 
is  vested  with  the  entire  charge  of  the  province,  civil, 
judicial,  military,  and  fiscal.  Under  him  are  collectors 
of  customs,  deputies,  &c.,  who  form  his  council,  without 
w^hose  assent  no  order  of  importance  can  be  executed. 
The  myo-woon  has  power  of  life  and  death. 

"The  governor  of  a  township  is  called  myo-thoo-gyee. 
The  governor,  or  head  man,  of  a  district  or  village  is 
called  thoo-gyee.  These  are  all  respectively  subordinate 
to  each  other. 

''No  public  functionary  receives  any  fixed  salary. 
The  principal  officers  of  state  are  rewarded  by  assign- 
ments of  certain  districts,  from  the  inhabitants  of  which 
they  exact  as  much  as  they  are  able.  Inferior  officers 
are  paid  by  fees,  emoluments,  perquisites,  together  with 
all  that  can  be  collected  by  extortion  and  bribery.  Each 
of  these  officers  exercises  judicial  functions  within  his 
own  district,  an  appeal,  however,  lying  to  the  next 
higher  in   office.     Bribery  is   universal ;   and  it   rarely 


54  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

happens  that  a  criminal  is  punished,  if  he  is  able  to  sat 
isfy  the  rapacity  of  the  officer  before  whom  he  is  ar- 
raigned.    The  judges  take  bribes  from  both  sides,  and 
the  decree,  except  in  very  palpable  cases,  will  be  in  favor 
of  him  who  pays  the  highest. 

"  The  various  provinces  of  the  kingdom  are  apportioned 
out  to  favorites  of  the  court,  or  are  made  responsible 
for  the  support  of  some  branch  of  the  government. 
The  individual  to  whom  this  cession  is  made  becomes 
then  the  governor  of  that  province,  or,  as  the  Burmans 
appropriately  term  him,  its  'eater,'  or  consumer.  By 
means  of  his  subordinate  agents,  he  taxes  every  family 
as  much  as  it  is  supposed  to  be  able  to  pay.  Every  sub- 
ordinate officer  takes  his  share  of  this  tax,  and  the  gov- 
ernor at  last  divides  with  the  king  the  portion  which  he 
receives.  The  poor  peasant  is  thus  obliged  to  satisfy  a 
succession  of  harpies,  while  but  a  small  portion  of  what 
he  pays  ever  reaches  the  public  treasury.  Besides  these 
contributions  paid  to  the  lord  of  the  land,  the  cultivators 
are  from  time  to  time,  and  according  to  the  public  exi- 
gency, called  upon  for  contributions  to  the  state.  The 
amount  of  these  is  fixed  by  the  lut-d'hau,  or  chief  coun- 
cil. These  contributions,  being  levied  through  the  lords, 
or  local  officers,  are  made  a  pretext  for  additional  exac- 
tions on  their  own  account,  often  greater  than  those 
taken  for  the  government.  The  Burman  officers  are 
thus  turned  loose  upon  the  country,  to  prey  upon  it  like 
a  swarm  of  locusts.  The  contributions  paid  into  the 
public  treasury  are  little  better  than  a  hoard  to  gratify 
the  desires  of  the  reigning  prince ;  and  the  amount  ex- 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  55 

acted  from  the  people  for  this  purpose  depends  entirely 
upon  his  personal  character.  His  subordinate  officers, 
from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  following  the  example  of 
their  chief;  and  every  energy  of  the  people  is  crushed 
under  a  savage,  selfish,  and  relentless  despotism. 

"  The  religion  of  Burmah  is  Buddhism.  To  present  an 
extended  view  of  this  form  of  religion,  which  numbers 
among  its  believers  a  larger  portion  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  earth  than  any  other,  would  be  foreign  to  the  de- 
sign of  a  memoir  like  the  present.  I  can  do  nothing 
more  than  offer  a  brief  statement  of  the  Burman  reli- 
gious system,  compiled  from  such  sources  as  have  been 
within  my  reach.  I  was  happy  to  find,  after  a  pretty 
extensive  research,  that  Dr.  Judson  had  furnished  Mr. 
Crawford  with  an  article  on  this  subject,  which  is  in- 
serted in  the  fourth  chapter  of  the  second  volume  of  his 
*  Embassy,'  as  I  consider  this  of  the  highest  authority, 
I  transcribe  it  entire : 

"  ^  A  life  period,  called  A-yen-kat,  is  a  revolution  of 
iime,  during  which  the  life  of  man  gradually  advances 
from  ten  years  to  an  A-then-kye,  and  returns  again  to 
ten.  Sixty-four  life  periods  make  one  intermediate  pe- 
riod^ (An-ta-ra-kat ;)  sixty-four  intermediate  periods 
make  one  quarterly  period,  which  may  be  so  termed  be- 
cause four  such  periods  make  one  grand  period  (Ma-ha- 
kat,)  a  complete  revolution  of  nature.  The  revolutions 
of  nature,  as  marked  by  the  various  periods,  are  eternal 
or  infinite.  Some  grand  periods  are  distinguished  by 
the  development  of  an  extraordinary  being  called  a 
Budd'ha,  who,  though   born  of  earthly  parents,  attains 


56  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 

to  the  summit  of  omniscience.*  The  present  grand  pe« 
riod  has  been  fa^'ored  by  four  of  these  personages,  whose 
names  are  Kan-kri-than,  Gau-na-gong,  Ka-tha-pa,  and 
Gau-ta-ma.  The  fifth  Budd'ha,  or  A-ri-mi-te-ya,  is  now 
reposing,  according  to  the  best  authorities,  in  one  of  the 
lower  celestial  regions,  and  will  develop  himself  in  due 
time. 

"• '  The  communications  of  all  Budd'has  previously  to 
Gau-ta-ma  are  now  lost.  His  communications,  made  at 
first  to  his  immediate  disciples,  and  hj  them  retained  in 
memory  during  five  centuries  more,  after  his  decease 
agreed  upon  in  several  successive  general  councils, 
(Then-ga-ya-na,)  and  finally  reduced  to  waiting  on  palm 
leaves,  in  the  Island  of  Ceylon,  in  the  ninety-fourth  year 
before  Christ,  and  the  four  hundred  and  fiftieth  after 
Gau-ta-ma,  form  the  present  Buddhist  scriptures,  the 
only  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  They  are  comprised  in 
three  grand  divisions,  (Pe-ta-kat,)  which  are  again  sub- 
divided into  fifteen,  and  those  into  six  hundred. 

" '  According  to  the  Buddhist  scriptures,  the  universe 
is  composed  of  an  infinite  number  of  worlds,  or  Sakya 
systems.  A  Sakya  system  consists  of  one  central 
Myen-mo,  or  mount,  the  surrounding  seas  and  islands, 
the  celestial  regions,  including  the  revolving  luminaries 
and  the  infernal  regions.  The  earth  on  which  we  live  is 
the  southernmost  of  the  four  grand  islands  which  sur- 
round the  mount,  each  of  which  is  again  surrounded  by 
four  hundred  of  smaller  size. 

" '  The  celestial   regions  consist   of  six  inferior  and 

*  "  Omniscience"  is,  according  to  Buddhists,  the  principal 
ftLtribute  of  Gautama. 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  57 

twenty  superior  heavens.  Of  the  six  inferior  heavens, 
the  first  occupies  the  middle,  and  the  second  the  summit 
of  the  Myen-mo  mount.  The  remaining  arise  above 
each  other  in  regular  gradation.  The  same  remark  ap- 
plies to  the  superior  heavens,  which  are  again  distin- 
guished into  sixteen  visible  and  four  invisible.  The  in- 
ferior regions  consist  of  eight  hills,  one  above  another, 
each  being  surrounded  by  sixteen  smaller  hills. 

"  '  The  universe  is  replete  with  an  infinity  of  souls, 
which  have  been  transmigrating  in  difi'erent  bodies  from 
all  eternity ;  ascent  or  descent  in  the  scale  of  existence 
being  at  every  change  of  state  ascertained  by  the  im- 
mutable "mysterious  laws  of  fate,"  according  to  the 
merit  or  demerit  of  the  individual.  No  being  is  exempt 
from  sickness,  old  age,  and  death.  Instability,  pain, 
and  change  are  the  three  grand  characteristics  of  all  ex- 
istence. 

" '  The  Burmans  say :  "  However  highly  exalted  in 
the  celestial  regions,  and  whatever  number  of  ages  of 
happiness  may  roll  on,  the  fatal  symptom  of  a  moisture 
under  the  armpits  will  at  length  display  itself."  The 
mortal  being,  when  this  presents  itself,  must  be  prepared 
to  exchange  the  blandishments  and  dalliance  of  celestial 
beauties  for  the  gridirons,  pitchforks,  mallets,  and  other 
instruments  of  torture  of  the  infernal  regions.  The 
chief  end  of  man,  according  to  the  Burmese,  is  to  termi- 
nate the  fatiguing  course  of  transmigratory  existence. 
This  attainment  Lord  Gautama  made  in  the  eightieth 
year  of  his  life,  and  all  his  immediate  disciples  have  par- 
ticipated in  the  same  happy  fate.  What  remains  to  the 
present  race  of  beings  is  to  aim  at  passing  their  time  in 


68  LIFE   OF   ANN  "HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  regions  of  men  and  gods,  until  thej  shall  come  in 
contact  with  the  next  Budd'ha,  the  Lord  Arimiteya, 
whom  they  may  hope  to  accompany  to  the  golden  world 
of  nigban,  or  annihilation.  In  order  to  this,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  keep  the  commands  of  the  last  Budd'ha,  to  wor- 
ship the  Budd'ha,  his  law,  and  his  priests  ;  to  refrain 
from  taking  life ;  from  stealing ;  from  adultery ;  from 
falsehood,  and  from  drinking  intoxicating  liquors  ;  to 
regard  the  images  and  temples  of  the  Budd'ha  the  same 
as  himself;  to  perform  acts  of  worship,  and  listen  to  the 
instructions  of  religion  on  the  days  of  the  new  moon, 
the  full  moon,  and  the  quarters ;  to  make  offerings  for 
the  support  of  the  priests  ;  to  assist  at  funerals,  and,  in 
general,  to  perform  all  charitable  and  religious  duties. 

"  '  In  the  year  930  after  Gautama,  A.D.  386,  Budd'ha- 
gautha  transcribed  the  Buddhist  scriptures,  with  an  iron 
pen  of  celestial  workmanship,  and  brought  them  by  sea 
to  Pugan,  the  seat  of  supreme  government.  The  time 
and  manner  in  which  the  religion  of  Gautama  was  intro- 
duced into  the  country  are  not  sufficiently  ascertained. 
It  subsequently  underwent  some  modification,  and  was 
finally  established  in  its  present  form  by  King  Anan-ra- 
tha-men-sau,  who  began  to  reign  in  Pugan  in  the  1541st 
year  after  Gautama,  the  359th  of  the  present  vulgar  era, 
and  A.D.  997.' 

'*  To  this  brief  statement,  which  contains  by  far  the 
most  intelligible  account  of  the  system  of  Buddhism  that 
I  have  seen,  I  will  add  a  fcAv  items  of  information,  which 
I  have  been  able  to  glean  from  a  tolerably  extensive 
reading  on  the  subject. 

"  It  will  be  seen  that  the  moral  code  of  Buddhism  la 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  59 

simple  and  pure.  Its  five  precepts  are,  I.  Thou  shalt 
not  take  life.  This  precept  is  universal.  The  priests^ 
in  order  to  obey  it,  carry  with  them  a  brush,  with  which 
they  sweep  the  seat  on  which  they  are  about  to  sit  down, 
lest  they  should  inadvertently  crush  the  smallest  insect. 
II.  Thou  shalt  not  steal.  III.  Thou  shalt  not  commit 
adultery.  IV.  Thou  shalt  not  lie.  V.  Thou  shalt  drink 
no  intoxicating  liquors.  It  is  by  obedience  to  these  that, 
at  death,  we  enter  by  transmigration  into  a  be4;ter  condi- 
tion than  we  occupy  at  present. 

"  The  Buddhist  priesthood  is  confined  to  no  class,  and 
indeed  the  doctrines  of  Gaudama  allow  of  no  hereditary 
caste  ;  any  man  who  complies  with  the  required  precepts 
may  be  admitted  to  the  sacred  order.  He,  however,  is 
not  obliged  to  remain  in  it  for  life,  but  may  quit  it  at  his 
pleasure,  and,  I  think,  without  reproach.  The  priests 
are  bound  by  the  vows  of  celibacy  and  poverty.  They 
are  forbidden  to  hold  property,  and  are  supported  by  vol- 
untary contributions  of  the  people.  They  go  out  daily 
in  the  streets  with  their  rice  pots,  and  every  one  gives 
them  what  he  pleases.  They  are  forbidden,  however,  to 
take  money,  and  they  never  ask  for  anything.  Travel- 
ers assure  us  that  they  are  never  seen  to  turn  their  heads, 
or  even  look  upon  the  ofi"ering  made  to  them.  It  w^ere 
well  if  the  ecclesiastics  of  many  other  countries  derived 
instruction  from  their  example. 

"  The  labors  of  the  priests  seem  unlike  those  of  any 
other  religion.  They  seldom  preach,  nor  do  they  gene- 
rally seem  to  perform  any  specially  religious  service  for 
the  people.  They  are  merely  men  sacredly  devoted  to 
pious  observances  and  holy  austerities.     They  reside  alto- 


60  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

gether  in  monasteries  which  have  been  erected  for  them, 
and  in  some  cases  endowed  by  monarc-hs  or  governors — ■ 
an  appropriation  of  property  held  to  be  specially  merito- 
rious. They  are  forbidden  to  have  any  connection  with 
the  civil  power,  and  they  seem  to  have  but  very  little. 
Their  principal  employment  is  that  of  instructing  the 
voung,  to  which  they  commonly  devote  themselves. 
The  monasteries  are,  therefore,  in  general,  the  school- 
nouses  of  Burmah,  and  the  priests  are  her  schoolmasters. 
What  they  teach  is  very  little  ;  but  it  suffices  to  enable 
a  large  portion  of  the  male  population  to  read.  In  this 
respect  the  Buddhist  priesthood  compares  very  favor- 
ably with  that  of  other  false  or  perverted  systems  of  re- 
ligion. 

"  The  Buddhists  have  been  commonly  denominated 
atheists.  Whatever  may  be  the  views  which  have  sub- 
sequently obtained  among  the  people  at  large,  I  doubt 
whether  the  system  of  Gaudama  is  chargeable  with  this 
error.  Men  are  believed  to  exist  after  death,  inhabiting 
other  bodies  ;  and  the  change  which  then  takes  place  is 
determined  by  their  conduct  in  the  state  which  they  oc- 
cupy at  the  present.  They  may  be  changed  from  men 
into  gnats,  and  from  gnats  in  an  inferior  to  those  of  a 
superior  grade ;  thus  gradually  rising  until  they  arrive 
at  nigban.  Or,  on  the  other  hand,  they  may  be  changed 
from  men  into  animals,  and,  in  successive  transformation 
from  animals  of  a  higher  to  those  of  a  lower  grade,  until 
they  reach  hell,  or  a  place  of  unmixed  torment.  In 
cases  of  atrocious  crime,  as  the  murder  of  a  parent,  or 
a  priest,  they  pass  through  no  intermediate  transforma- 
tions, but  at  once  enter  the  place  of  torment.     The  doc- 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  61 

trine  of  future  rewards  and  punishments,  as  consequences 
of  moral  character  in  this  life,  is  thus  distinctly  recog- 
nized. The  peculiarity  of  their  belief  is,  that  this  life 
is  not  considered  as  tlie  state,  but  only  a  state  of  proba- 
tion. Probation  extends  to  every  state  but  nigban. 
Hence  every  living  thing  which  we  see  is  inhabited  for 
the  time  being,  by  a  soul  similar  to  our  own  ;  and  we 
and  it  may,  at  any  time,  change  places.  From  this 
idea  is  derived  the  prohibition  to  slay  animals  and  every- 
thing that  has  life. 

"This  system  of  rewards  and  punishments  is  adminis-' 
tered,  according  to  the  Buddhist  belief,  by  the  variou'? 
grades  of  existence  superior  to  men,  and  inferior  to  Buddh  . 
An  inquiry  is  instituted  by  these  deities  into  the  charac 
ter  of  every  individual,  and,  in  obedience  to  their  deci 
sion,  each  one  either  ascends  or  descends  in  the  scale  of 
being.     The   government  of  the  uiiverse  is,  therefore, 
carried  on,  not  by  the  supreme  divinity,  who  is,  accord- 
ing to  the  notions  of  oriental  happiness,  exempt  from  all 
care,  but  by  inferior  beings,  who   are   still   themselvcF 
striving  upwards  in  order  to  arrive  at  nigban. 

"  Such,  then,  seems  to  be  the  system  of  Buddhism. 
In  its  moral  precepts,  it  is  remarkable  for  purity.  Sc 
far  as  the  relations  between  man  and  man  are  concerned, 
it  is,  in  many  respects,  similar  to  the  Mosaic  law.  The 
punishments  which  it  denounces  against  sin  are  awful 
beyond  conception  ;  and  the  rewards  of  obedience  are 
as  great  as  the  authors  of  the  system  could  imagine. 
For  the  least  aberration  from  rectitude  the  consequence 
is  pain  only  less  than  infinite.  It,  however,  in  no  case 
that  I  have    seen,  makes  any  allusion  to  repentance. 


62  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

After  one  sin,  the  being  is  forever  helplessly  under  con- 
demnation, unless  he  can  attain  to  annihilation.  It  pre- 
sents noway  of  escape  for  the  sinner  by  means  of  an  atone- 
ment. It  is  a  pure  system  of  law,  with  its  rewards  and 
punishments,  without  relenting,  without  pardon,  and  with- 
out hope  for  the  guilty. 

'*  It  remains  to  consider  what  has  been  the  practical 
effect  of  this  system  upon  the  mind  of  man.  It  is  a  sys- 
tem, it  will  be  remembered,  devised  to  govern  the  moral 
conduct  of  a  race  of  sinners.  Hence  the  impossibility 
of  avoiding  its  penalties  is  at  once  evident.  Do  what  we 
will,  conscience  must  convict  us  of  grievous  moral  imper- 
fection, involving  the  necessity  of  ages  of  suffering,  with- 
out the  certainty  of  any  eventual  escape.  Under  such 
a  system,  the  mind  sinks  down  in  utter  helplessness. 
When  there  is  no  escape  from  punishment,  the  difference 
between  ten  millions  and  twenty  millions  of  transmigra- 
tions is  not  capable  of  being  appreciated.  Virtue  and 
vice,  in  our  imperfect  state,  are,  therefore,  hardly  capa- 
ble of  being  distinguished  from  each  other  in  their  results. 
Thus  the  system  which  seems  to  have  exhausted  the  hu- 
man faculties  in  conceiving  of  terrors  which  should  deter 
us  from  sin,  is  found  practically  to  have  created  against 
it  no  barrier  whatever. 

^'  The  result  was  such  as  might  have  been  expected. 
While  the  law  of  Gaudama  forbids  us  to  take  the  life  of 
any  animated  being,  the  Burmans  are  bloodthirsty,  cruel, 
and  vindictive,  beyond  most  of  the  nations  of  India. 
Murders  are  of  very  common  occurrence,  and  the  pun- 
ishment by  death  is  inflicted  with  every  aggravation  of 
cruelty.      While  licentiousness  is  absolutely  forbidden, 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  G3 

they  are  said  to  be  universally  profligate.  While  the 
law  denounces  covetousness,  they  are  almost  to  a  man 
dishonest,  rapacious,  prone  to  robbery,  and  to  robbery 
ending  in  blood.  The  law  forbids,  on  all  occasions, 
treachery  and  deceit,  and  yet,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest,  they  are  a  nation  of  liars.  When  detected  in 
the  grossest  falsehood,  they  indicate  no  consciousness  of 
shame,  and  even  pride  themselves  upon  successful  de- 
ceit. 

"  Respecting  the  practical  effect  of  this  system,  Mr. 
Upham  observes  :  *  The  scheme  is  sustained  by  a  system 
of  morals  of  the  most  exemplary  kind,  such  as  may  cause 
a  blush  of  shame  in  many  a  Christian  who  feels  his 
higher  privileges,  while  he  considers  the  inferiority  of 
his  practice ;  but  this  system  is  absolutely  powerless  to 
enforce  or  fasten  its  dictates  upon  the  conscience,  or  to 
renovate  the  heart.'*  Mr.  Upham  sustains  his  view  of 
the  practical  result  of  Buddhism  by  the  following  quo- 
tation from  Mr.  Judson,  whom  he  describes  as  one  who 
has  had  the  best  opportunity  to  examine  it,  and  whose 
coloring  he  declares  to  be  strong,  but  faithful  :  '  Let 
those  who  plead  the  native  innocence  and  purity  of  hea- 
then nations  visit  Burmah.  The  system  of  religion  here 
has  no  power  over  the  heart,  or  restraint  on  the  passions. 
Though  it  forbids,  on  pain  of  many  years'  suffering  in 
hell,  theft  and  falsehood,  yet,  1  presume  to  say,  there  is 
not  a  single  Burman  in  the  country,  who,  if  he  had  a 
good  opportunity,  without  danger  of  detection,  would 
hesitate  to  do  either.  Though  the  religion  inculcates 
benevolence,  tenderness,  forgiveness  of  injuries,  and  love 
*  Upham's  History  of  Buddhism,  p.  102. 


64  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

of  enemies — though  it  forbids  sensuality,  love  of  plea- 
sure, and  attachment  to  worldly  objects — yet  it  is  desti- 
tute of  power  to  produce  the  former,  or  to  subdue  the 
latter,  in  its  votaries.  In  short,  the  Burman  system  of 
religion  is  like  an  alabaster  image,  perfect  and  beautiful 
in  all  its  parts,  but  destitute  of  life.  Besides  being  des- 
titute of  life,  it  provides  no  atonement  for  sin.  Here 
also  the  gospel  triumphs  over  this  and  every  other  reli- 
gion in  the  world.' 

"  If,  now,  we  revert  to  what  we  have  stated  above,  we 
shall  perceive  that  the  Burman  empire  is  large  in  extent, 
and  that  its  soil  is  of  unusually  great  and  varied  pro- 
ductiveness. It  possesses  a  regular  government,  by  which 
the  decisions  of  the  court  are  carried  with  effect  to  the 
remotest  hamlet,  through  a  succession  of  officers  pro- 
ceeding in  regular  gradation  from  the  emperor  to  the 
magistrate  of  the  smallest  district.  Its  people  are  active, 
athletic,  and  as  industrious  as  could  be  expected  under 
a  tyrannical  and  oppressive  government.  A  large  por- 
tion of  the  people  is  able  to  read.  It  possesses  a  well- 
defined  system  of  religion,  and  a  regularly-organized 
priesthood.  But  the  whole  people  are  destitute  of  any 
semblance  either  of  piety  to  God  or  benevolence  to  man. 
They  have  no  hope,  and  are  living  without  God  in  the 
world.  They  have  acknowledged  that  St.  Paul's  descrip- 
tion of  the  heathen,  in  the  first  of  Romans,  delineates 
accurately  the  national  character.  Such  is  the  nation 
which  Mr.  Judson  went  forth  to  convert  to  the  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ/* 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  6l> 


CHAPTER   IV. 

LEARNING  THE  LANGUAGE- 
MRS.    JUDSON's    illness VOYAGE    TO    MADRAS RETURN 

TO  RANGOON BIRTH  AND  DEATH  OF  A  SON MR.  JUDSON'S 

ILLNESS ARRIVAL  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  HOUGH  AT  RANGOON 

MR.     JUDSON     LEAVES     RANGOON TROUBLE MR.    AND 

MRS.  HOUGH  LEAVE  RANGOON MRS.  JUDSON's  FORTITUDE 

RETURN  OF  MR.  JUDSON. 

Immediately  upon  their  arrival  at  Kangoon,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Judson  commenced  the  study  of  the  language. 
They  engaged  a  teacher,  a  man  of  intelligence  and 
ability;  but  as  there  were  no  books,  and  neither  party 
understood  the  other,  their  progress  at  first  was  very 
slow  and  discouraging.  They  were  animated  however 
by  the  hope  of  being  able  to  communicate  the  glad 
tidings  of  Christianity  to  a  benighted  country,  and 
studied  diligently  in  order  to  acquire  the  uncouth  dialect 
of  the  Burman  natives. 

Mrs.  Judson,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  says: 
''As  it  respects  ourselves,  we  are  busily  employed  all 
day  long.  I  can  assure  you  that  we  find  much  pleasure 
in  our  employment.  Could  you  look  into  a  large  open 
room,  which  we  call  a  verandah,  you  would  see  Mr. 
Judson  bent  over  his  table,  covered  with  Burman  books, 
with  his  teacher  at  his  side,  a  venerable  looking  man  in 
5 


66  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

his  sixtieth  year,  with  a  cloth  wrapped  round  his  middle, 
and  a  handkerchief  round  his  head.  Thej  talk  and 
chatter  all  day  long,  with  hardly  any  cessation. 

"My  mornings  are  busily  employed  in  giving  direc- 
tions to  the  servants — providing  food  for  the  family,  &c. 
At  ten  my  teacher  comes,  when,  were  you  present,  you 
might  see  me  in  ah  inner  room,  at  one  side  of  my  study 
table,  and  my  teacher  the  other,  reading  Burman,  writing, 
talking,  &c.  I  have  many  more  interruptions  than  Mr. 
Judson,  as  I  have  the  entire  management  of  the  family. 
This  I  took  upon  myself,  for  the  sake  of  Mr.  Judson's 
attending  more  closely  to  the  study  of  the  language;  yet 
I  have  found  by  a  year's  experience,  that  it  was  the 
most  direct  way  I  could  have  taken  to  acquire  the 
language;  as  I  am  frequently  obliged  to  speak  Burman 
all  day.  I  can  talk  and  understand  others  better  than 
Mr.  Judson,  though  he  knows  more  about  the  nature  and 
construction  of  the  language. 

"A  new  Viceroy  has  lately  arrived,  who  is  much  be- 
loved and  respected  by  the  people.  He  visited  us  soon 
after  his  arrival,  and  told  us  that  we  must  come  to  the 
government  house  very  often.  We  have  been  once  or 
twice  since,  and  were  treated  with  much  more  familiarity 
and  respect  than  are  natives  of  the  country. 

"We  often  converse  with  our  teachers  and  servants  on 
the  subject  of  our  coming  to  this  country,  and  tell  them 
if  they  die  in  their  present  state  they  will  surely  be  lost. 
But  they  say,  '  Our  religion  is  good  for  us,  yours  for 
you.'  But  we  are  far  from  being  discouraged.  We  are 
sensible  that  the  hearts  of  the  heathen,  as  well  as  those 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  67 

of  Christians,  are  in  the  hands  of  God,  and  in  his  own 
time  he  will  turn  them  unto  him." 

In  order  that  the  reader  may  see  how  life  passed  with 
the  missionaries,  I  here  subjoin  an  extract  from  Mrs. 
Judson's  history  of  the  Burman  mission : 

''Dee.  11,  1813.  To-day,  for  the  first  time,  I  have 
visited  the  wife  of  the  Viceroy.  I  was  introduced  to  her 
by  a  French  lady,  who  has  frequently  visited  her.  When 
we  first  arrived  at  the  government  house,  she  was  not  up, 
consequently  we  had  to  wait  sometime.  But  the  inferior 
wives  of  the  Viceroy  diverted  us  much  by  their  curiosity, 
in  minutely  examining  everything  we  had  on,  and  by 
trying  on  our  gloves,  bonnets,  &c.  At  last  her  Highness 
made  her  appearance,  dressed  richly  in  the  Burman 
fashion,  with  a  long  silver  pipe  in  her  mouth,  smoking. 
At  her  appearance,  all  the  other  wives  took  their  seats 
at  a  respectful  distance,  and  sat  in  a  crouching  posture, 
without  speaking.  She  received  me  very  politely,  took 
me  by  the  hand,  seated  me  upon  a  mat,  and  herself  by 
me.  She  excused  herself  for  not  coming  in  sooner,  say- 
ing she  was  unwell.  One  of  the  women  brought  her  a 
bunch  of  flowers,  of  which  she  took  several  and  orna- 
mented my  cap.  She  was  very  inquisitive  as  to  whether  I 
had  a  husband  and  children,  whether  I  was  my  husband's 
first  wife — meaning  by  this,  whether  I  was  the  highest 
among  them,  supposing  that  Mr.  Judson,  like  the  Bur- 
mans,  had  many  wives;  and  whether  I  intended  tarrying 
long  in  the  country. 

"When  the  Viceroy  came  in,  I  really  trembled,  for  I 
never  before  beheld  such  a  savage  looking  creature.  His 
long  robe,  and  enormous  spear,  not  a  little  increased  my 


by  LIIB   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

dread.  He  spoke  to  me,  however,  very  condescendingly, 
and  asked  if  I  would  drink  some  rum  or  wine.  When  I 
arose  to  go,  her  Highness  again  took  my  hand,  told 
me  she  was  happy  to  see  me,  that  I  must  come  to  see 
her  every  day.  She  led  me  to  the  door;  I  made  my 
salam^  and  departed.  My  object  in  visiting  her  was, 
that  if  we  should  get  into  any  difficulty  with  the  Burmans, 
I  could  have  access  to  her,  when  perhaps  it  would  not 
be  possible  for  Mr.  Judson  to  have  an  audience  with  the 
Viceroy." 

A  letter  from  Mrs.  Judson  to  Mr.  Newell,  written  at 
about  the  same  date,  says: 

^'As  it  respects  our  temporal  privations,  use  has  made 
them  familiar  and  easy  to  be  borne;  they  are  of  short 
duration,  and  when  brought  in  competition  with  the  worth 
of  immortal  souls,  sink  into  nothing.  We  have  no 
society,  no  dear  Christian  friends,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  or  three  sea  captains,  who  now  and  then  call 
on  us,  we  never  see  a  European  face.  When  we  feel  a 
disposition  to  sigh  for  the  enjoyments  of  our  native 
country,  we  turn  our  eyes  on  the  miserable  objects 
around.  We  behold  some  of  them  laboring  hard  for  a 
scanty  subsistence,  oppressed  by  an  avaricious  govern- 
ment, which  is  ever  ready  to  seize  what  industry  has 
hardly  earned.  We  behold  others  sick  and  diseased, 
daily  begging  their  few  grains  of  rice,  which,  when  ob- 
tained, are  scarcely  sufficient  to  protract  their  wretched 
existence,  and  with  no  other  habitation  to  cover  them 
from  the  burning  sun  or  chilly  rains,  than  that  which  a 
small  piece  of  cloth  raised  on  four  bamboos,  under  the 
shade  of  a  tree,  can  afford.     While  we  behold  these  scenes, 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  69 

we  feel  that  we  have  all  the  comforts,  and  in  comparison, 
even  the  luxuries  of  life.  We  feel  that  our  temporal  cup 
of  blessings  is  full  and  runneth  over.  But  is  our  tem-» 
poral  lot  so  much  superior  to  theirs?  0  how  infinitely 
superior  are  our  spiritual  blessings  !  While  they  vainly 
imagine  to  purchase  promotion  in  another  state  of  exis- 
tence, by  strictly  worshiping  their  idols,  and  building 
pagodas,  our  hopes  of  future  happiness  are  fixed  on  the 
Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 
When  we  have  a  realizing  sense  of  these  things,  my  dear 
brother,  we  forget  our  native  country  and  former  enjoy- 
ments, feel  contented  and  happy  with  our  lot,  with  but 
one  wish  remaining — that  of  being  instrumental  in  lead- 
ing these  Burmans  to  partake  of  the  same  source  of  hap- 
piness with  ourselves. 

"Our  progress  in  the  language  is  slow,  as  it  is  pecu- 
liarly hard  of  acquisition.  We  can,  however,  read,  write, 
and  converse  with  tolerable  ease;  aud  frequently  spend 
whole  evenings  very  pleasantly  in  conversing  with  our 
Burman  friends.  We  have  been  very  fortunate  in  pro- 
curing good  instructors.  Mr.  Judson's  teacher  is  a  very 
learned  man,  was  formerly  a  priest  and  resided  at  court. 
He  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  grammatical  con- 
struction of  the  language ;  likewise  of  the  Pali,  the  learned 
language  of  the  Burmans." 

Mrs.  Judson's  health,  never  very  strong,  became  st 
much  broken  after  one  year's  residence  in  Rangoon  that 
medical  aid  was  absolutely  indispensable.  As  there  was 
no  possibility  of  procuring  it  where  she  was,  she  em- 
barked for  Madras  in  January,  1815,  to  return,  restored 
to  health  in  April.     This  journey  she  took  alone,  as  it 


70  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTIEE   JUDSON. 

was  not  deemed  expedient  for  Mr.  Judson  to  lose  any 
time  whilst  engaged  in  the  arduous  task  of  studying  the 
language. 

After  Mrs.  Judson's  return  her  health  continued  to 
improve,  and,  in  September  she  became  a  mother.  She 
had  no  assistant,  no  comforter  at  this  trying  time,  ex- 
cepting her  husband,  of  whose  affectionate  care  she  speaks 
most  touchingly  in  her  letters  of  this  date.  Upon  her 
recovery  she  again  commenced  the  study  of  the  language, 
but  the  most  severe  trial  which  had  yet  befallen  them 
was  in  store.  When  only  eight  months  old,  their  little 
boy,  their  comfort  and  solace  in  their  lonely  situation, 
was  taken  to  the  other  world.  Mrs.  Judson's  letters 
evince,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  the  high  religious  tone, 
and  unquestioning  faith  of  her  religious  feelings.  With 
a  heart  torn  with  anguish,  the  tenderest  tie  of  a  woman's 
heart  severed,  she  never  murmured.  Resigned  to  the 
will  of  Providence,  she  said  with  a  sincere  heart,  "  Thy 
will  be  done,"  praying  that  out  of  the  severe  affliction 
her  heart  should  come  purified  and  strengthened. 

Close  attention  to  study  impaired  Mr.  Judson's  health 
so  much  at  this  period,  that  for  some  months  he  was 
forced  to  desist  from  his  labors,  and  take  active  exercise. 
Unwilling  even  then,  to  be  idle,  he  employed  his  time  in 
making  a  Grammar  of  the  language  of  Burmah,  for  the 
use  of  future  missionaries.  A  writer  in  the  Calcutta 
Review  speaks  of  this  work  as  one  of  the  most  marvel- 
ous indications  of  Dr.  Judson's  powerful  intellect,  com- 
prising, as  it  did,  in  seventy-six  pages,  a  complete  gram- 
mar of  one  of  the  most  difficult  languages  in  the  world. 

In  October,  1816,  the  missionaries  were  gladdened  by 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  71 

an  addition  to  their  company.  Mr.  Hough  and  his  wife 
arrived  from  America,  bringing  with  them  from  the  Se- 
rampore  brethren,  a  present  of  a  printing  press,  types, 
and  other  printing  apparatus. 

An  extract  from  a  letter  written  about  this  date,  by 
Mr.  Judson,  will  show  that  their  progress  so  far  was 
slow  : — 

*'If  any  ask  what  success  I  meet  with  among  the  na- 
tives, tell  them  to  look  at  Otaheite,  where  the  Mission- 
aries labored  nearly  twenty  years,  and  not  meeting  with 
the  slightest  success,  began  to  be  neglected  by  all  the 
Christian  world,  and  the  very  name  of  Otaheite  was 
considered  a  shame  to  the  cause  of  missions  ;  but  now 
the  blessing  begins  to  descend.  Tell  them  to  look  at 
Bengal  also,  where  Dr.  Thomas  had  been  laboring  seven- 
teen years,  that  is,  from  1783  to  1800,  before  the  first 
convert,  Krishno,  w^as  baptized.  When  a  few  converts 
are  once  made,  things  move  on.  But  it  requires  a  much 
longer  time  than  I  have  been  here,  to  make  a  first  im- 
pression on  a  heathen  people.  If  they  ask  again.  What 
prospect  of  ultimate  success  is  there  ?  Tell  them,  as  much 
as  that  there  is  an  almighty  and  faithful  God,  who  will 
perform  his  promises,  and  no  more.  If  this  does  not  sat- 
isfy them,  beg  them  to  let  me  stay  and  make  the  attempt, 
and  let  you  come  and  give  us  our  bread ;  or,  if  they  are 
unwilling  to  risk  their  bread  on  such  a  forlorn  hope,  as 
has  nothing  but  the  word  of  God  to  sustain  it,  beg  of 
them  at  least  not  to  prevent  others  from  giving  us  bread 
And  if  we  live  some  twenty  or  thirty  years,  they  may 
near  from  us  again." 

It  was  not  until  1817,  that  Mr.  Judson  was  able  to 


72       LIFE  OF  ANN  HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 

write  liome  that  any  Burman  had  inquired  about  the 
"new  religion."  The  prospects,  however,  were  most 
encouraging.  Mr.  Hough  was  busily  engaged  in  print- 
ing, and  Mr.  Judson,  in  addition  to  his  grammar,  had 
written  two  tracts,  and  commenced  his  translation  of  the 
New  Testament.  In  March,  1817,  Mr.  Judson  wrote  as 
follows  : — 

*'  I  have  this  day  been  visited  by  the^r^^  inquirer  after 
religion,  that  I  have  seen  in  Burmah.  For,  although  in 
the  course  of  the  last  two  years  I  have  preached  the 
gospel  to  many,  and  though  some  have  visited  me  several 
times  and  conversed  on  the  subject  of  religion,  yet  I  have 
never  had  much  reason  to  believe  that  their  visits  origi- 
nated in  a  spirit  of  sincere  inquiry.  Conversations  on 
religion  have  always  been  of  my  proposing ;  and  though 
I  have  sometimes  been  encouraged  to  hope  that  truth  had 
made  some  impression,  never,  until  to-day,  have  I  met 
with  one  who  was  fairly  entitled  to  the  epithet  of  i^ 
quirer, 

"  As  I  was  sitting  with  my  teacher,  as  usual,  a  Burman 
of  respectable  appearance,  and  followed  by  a  servant, 
came  up  the  steps,  and  sat  down  by  me.  I  asked  him 
the  usual  question,  where  he  came  from :  to  which  he 
gave  me  no  explicit  reply,  and  I  began  to  suspect  that 
he  had  come  from  the  government  house,  to  enforce  a 
trifling  request,  which  in  the  morning  he  had  declined. 
He  soon,  however,  undeceived  and  astonished  me  by  ask- 
ing, '  How  long  a  time  will  it  take  me  to  learn  the  reli- 
gion of  Jesus  T  I  replied  that  such  a  question  could  not 
be  answered.  If  God  gave  light  and  wisdom,  the  religion 
of  Jesus  was  soon  learned ;  but  without  God,  a  man  might 


LIFE    OF  ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  13 

study  all  his  life  long  and  make  no  proficiency.  But 
how,  continued  I,  came  you  to  know  anything  of  Jesus  ? 
Have  you  been  here  before  ?  '  No.'  Have  you  seen  any 
writings  concerning  Jesus  ?  ^  I  have  seen  two  little 
books.'  Who  is  Jesus  ?  '  He  is  the  Son  of  God,  who, 
pitying  creatures,  came  into  this  world,  and  suffered 
death  in  their  stead.'  Who  is  God  ?  'He  is  a  Being 
without  beginning  or  end,  who  is  not  subject  to  old  age  or 
death,  but  always  is.'  I  cannot  tell  how  I  felt  at  this 
moment.  This  was  the  first  acknowledgment  of  an  eter- 
nal God  that  I  had  ever  heard  from  the  lips  of  a  Burman. 
I  handed  him  a  tract  and  catechism,  both  of  which  he 
instantly  recognized,  and  read  here  and  there,  making 
occasional  remarks  to  his  follower,  such  as,  '  This  is  the 
true  God — this  is  the  right  way,'  &c.  I  now  tried  to 
tell  him  some  things  about  God  and  Christ,  and  himself, 
but  he  did  not  listen  with  much  attention,  and  seemed 
anxious  only  to  get  another  book.  I  had  already  told 
him  two  or  three  times,  that  I  had  finished  no  other  book, 
but  that  in  two  or  three  months,  I  would  give  him  a 
larger  one,  which  I  was  now  daily  employed  in  transla- 
ting. '  But,'  replied  he,  'have  you  not  a  little  of  that 
book  done,  which  you  will  graciously  give  me  now  V 
And  I,  beginning  to  think  that  God's  time  was  better 
than  man's,  folded  and  gave  him  the  first  two  half  sheets, 
which  contain  the  first  five  chapters  of  Matthew ;  on 
which  he  instantly  rose,  as  if  his  business  was  all  done, 
and  having  received  an  invitation  to  come  again,  took 
leave.  Throughout  his  short  stay,  he  appeared  different 
from  any  Burman  I  have  met  with.  He  asked  no  ques- 
tions about  customs  and  manners,  with  which  the  Burmana 


74  LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

tease  us  exceedingly.  He  had  no  curiosity,  and  no  de« 
sire  for  anything,  but  '  more  of  this  sort  of  writing.'  In 
fine,  his  conduct  proved  that  he  had  something  on  his 
mind,  and  I  cannot  but  hope  that  I  shall  have  to  write 
about  him  again. 

"  March  24.  We  have  not  yet  seen  our  inquirer ;  but 
to-day  we  met  with  one  of  his  acquaintances,  who  says 
that  he  reads  our  books  all  the  day,  and  shows  them  to 
all  who  call  upon  him.  We  told  him  to  ask  his  friend  to 
come  and  see  us  again." 

Mrs.  Judson,  in  the  meantime,  having  conquered  the 
difficult  language,  was  occupied,  independent  of  her 
household  cares,  in  collecting  around  her  the  women  of 
the  place.      She  says,  writing  to  a  friend  : — 

''  How  interested  you  would  be,  could  you  meet 
with  my  little  society  of  females  on  the  Sabbath  !  In- 
terested, I  say — yes,  you  would  be  interested,  if  it  was 
only  from  this  circumstance — that  these  poor  idolaters 
enjoy  the  means  of  grace,  and  sit  under  the  sound  of  the 
gospel.  I  have  generally  fifteen  or  twenty.  They  aie 
attentive  while  I  read  the  Scriptures,  and  endeavor  to 
teach  them  about  God.  One  of  them  told  me  the  other 
day,  that  she  could  not  think  of  giving  up  a  religion 
which  her  parents,  grand-parents,  &c.,  &c.,  had  embraced, 
and  accepting  anew  one,  of  which  they  had  never  heard. 
I  asked  her  if  she  wished  to  go  to  hell,  because  her  pro- 
genitors had  gone  there.  She  replied,  if  with  all  her 
offerings  and  good  works  on  her  head,  (speaking  in  their 
idiom,)  she  must  go  to  hell,  then  let  her  go.  I  told  her, 
if  she  went  to  hell  after  having  heard  of  the  Saviour, 
her  very  relations  would  contribute  to  torment  and  up- 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  75 

braid  her,  for  her  rejection  of  that  Saviour  of  whom 
they  had  never  heard,  and  that  even  she  herself  would 
regret  her  folly  when  it  was  too  late.  If  I  do,  said  she, 
I  will  then  cry  out  to  you  to  be  my  intercessor  with  your 
God,  who  will  certainl}^  not  refuse  you.  Another  told 
me  that  she  did  believe  in  Christ,  and  prayed  to  him 
every  day.  I  asked  her  if  she  also  believed  in  Gaudama, 
and  prayed  to  him.  She  replied,  she  worshiped  them 
both.  I  have  several  times  had  my  hopes  and  expecta- 
tions raised  by  the  apparent  seriousness  of  several 
females,  as  Mr.  Judson  has  in  regard  to  several  men  ; 
but  their  goodness  was  like  the  morning  cloud  and  early 
dew,  which  soon  passeth  away.  Four  or  five  children 
have  committed  the  catechism  to  memory,  and  often  repeat 
it  to  each  other." 

In  December,  1817,  Mr.  Judson's  health  became  so 
(Seriously  broken,  that  he  determined  to  leave  Rangoon, 
to  visit  Chittagong,  intending  to  be  absent  about  three 
months.  Owing  to  several  untoward  circumstances,  Mr. 
Judson  was  carried  far  from  the  scene  he  proposed  visit- 
ing, to  a  station  three  hundred  miles  from  Madras.  He 
traveled  by  land  to  Madras,  purposing  to  return  imme- 
diately to  Rangoon,  but  was  detained  in  that  city  until 
July. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hough,  and  Mrs.  Judson  remained  at 
Rangoon.  For  a  short  time,  everything  went  on  well. 
Mrs.  Judson  was  kindly  treated  by  the  wife  of  the  Vice- 
roy, and  visited  by  the  man  whom  Mr.  Judson  mentions 
as  the  first  inquirer.  At  the  expiration  of  the  three 
months,  which  Mr.  Judson  had  stated  as  the  term  of  his 
absence,  Mrs.  Judson's  firmness  was  called  upon  to  sus- 


76  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

tain  her  In  another  severe  trial.  Her  own  words  are  th^. 
best  for  a  description  of  this  period. 

"  Three  months  of  Mr.  Judson's  absence  had  nearly 
expired,  and  we  had  begun  to  look  for  his  return,  when 
a  native  boat  arrived  twelve  days  from  Chittagong, 
bringing  the  distressing  intelligence,  that  neither  Mr. 
Judson  nor  the  vessel  had  been  heard  of  at  that  port. 
I  should  not  have  given  so  much  credit  to  this  report,  as 
to  have  allowed  its  harassing  my  feelings,  had  it  not  been 
corroborated  by  communications  from  my  friends  in  Ben- 
gal, which  arrived  just  at  this  time.  From  the  circum- 
stance that  the  vessel  had  not  reached  the  port  of  des- 
tination, I  knew  not  what  conclusion  to  draw.  Hope,  at 
times,  suggested  the  idea  that  the  ship's  course  might 
have  been  altered,  that  she  might  yet  be  safe ;  but  de- 
spondency more  frequently  strove  to  convince  me  that  all 
was  lost.  Thus  was  I,  for  four  months,  in  that  agonizing 
state  of  suspense,  w^hich  is  frequently  more  oppressive 
than  the  most  dreaded  certainty. 

"  Two  or  three  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  above  in- 
telligence, Mr.  Hough  received  an  order,  couched  in  the 
most  menacing  language,  to  appear  immediately  at  the 
court-house,  to  give  an  account  of  himself.  This,  so 
unlike  any  message  we  had  ever  before  received  from 
government,  spread  consternation  and  alarm  among  our 
teachers,  domestics,  and  adherents,  some  of  whom  fol- 
lowed Mr.  Hough  at  a  distance,  and  heard  the  appalling 
words  from  some  of  the  petty  officers,  that  a  royal  order 
had  arrived,  for  the  banishment  of  all  foreign  teachers. 
As  it  was  late  when  Mr.  Hough  arrived  at  the  court- 
nouse,  he  was  merely  ordered  to  give  security  for  his  ap- 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUI>^ON.  77 

peaiance  at  an  early  hour  on  the  approaching  day,  when, 
to  use  then-  own  unfeeHng  language,  '  if  he  did  not  tell 
all  the  truth  relative  to  his  situation  in  the  country,  they 
would  write  with  his  heart's  blood.' 

"  Our  embarrassments  at  this  period  were  greatly  in- 
creased by  the  circumstance  that  the  Viceroy  and  family, 
who  had  always  been  our  steady  friends,  had  been 
recently  recalled  to  Ava  ;  and  the  present  Viceroy,  with 
whom  we  had  but  a  slight  acquaintance,  had  left  his  fam- 
ily at  the  capital.  Mr.  Hough  was  not  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted with  the  language,  to  allow  his  appealing  in 
person  to  the  Viceroy  ;  and  as  it  is  not  customary  for 
females  to  appear  at  his  court,  in  the  absence  of  the  Vice- 
reine, we  had  nothing  before  us  but  the  gloomy  prospect 
of  being  obliged  to  submit  to  all  those  evils,  in  the  pov/er 
of  petty  officers  to  inflict,  when  unprotected  by  higher 
authority. 

"  The  following  days,  Friday  and  Saturday,  Mr.  Hough 
was  detained  at  the  court-house,  and  under  the  necessity 
of  answering,  through  an  interpreter,  the  most  trivial 
questions  :  such  as,  what  were  the  names  of  his  parents  ? 
how  many  suits  of  clothes  he  had?  &;c.,  all  of  which  were 
written  down  in  the  most  formidable  manner  imaginable. 
The  court  would  not  allow  his  retiring  for  any  refresh- 
ment ;  and  this,  together  with  several  other  petty  griev- 
ances, convinced  us  that  it  was  their  object  to  harass  and 
distress  us  as  much  as  possible,  feeling  safe  in  the  idea 
that  circumstances  were  such  that  we  could  not  appeal 
to  the  Viceroy." 

As  the  purpose  of  the  officers  appeared  to  be  to  extort 
money  from  the  missionaries,  the  order  from  government, 


78  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

upon  which  the  summons  to  Mr.  Hough  was  founded, 
applying  only  to  Portuguese  teachers,  Mrs.  Judson  re- 
solved to  appeal  for  protection  to  the  Viceroy.  A  peti- 
tion was  accordingly  drawn  up,  with  the  assistance  of 
Mrs.  Judson 's  teacher;  and  with  this  in  her  hand,  the 
intrepid  woman  presented  herself  before  the  Viceroy. 
The  result  was  a  command  from  him  that  Mr.  Hough 
should  be  suffered  to  pursue  his  labors  unmolested. 

The  cholera  morbus  now  began  to  commit  fearful 
ravages  amongst  the  natives,  and  the  distress  of  the  mis- 
sionaries was  increased  by  rumors  of  a  war  between 
England  and  Burmah.  It  was  now  July,  and  Mr.  Jud- 
son had  not  been  heard  from.  Mrs.  Judson  writes  thus 
to  a  friend  : 

"  Mr.  Hough,  for  sometime  past,  has  been  desirous  to 
have  Mrs.  Hough,  myself,  and  his  children,  go  to  Ben- 
gal. But  I  have  ever  felt  resolved  not  to  make  any 
movement  until  I  hear  from  Mr.  Judson.  Within  a  few 
days,  however,  some'circumstances  have  occurred,  which 
have  induced  me  to  make  preparations  for  a  voyage. 
There  is  but  one  remaining  ship  in  the  river,  and  if  an 
embargo  is  laid  on  English  ships,  it  will  be  impossible 
for  Mr.  Judson  (if  he  is  yet  alive)  to  return  to  this  place. 
But  the  uncertainty  of  meeting  him  in  Bengal,  and  the 
possibility  of  his  arriving  in  my  absence,  cause  me  to 
make  preparations  with  a  heavy  heart.  Sometimes  I 
feel  inclined  to  remain  here,  alone,  and  hazard  the  con- 
sequences. I  should  certainly  conclude  on  this  step,  if 
any  probability  existed  of  Mr.  Judson's  return.  This 
mission  has  never  appeared  in  so  low  a  state  as  at  the 
present  time.     It   seems  now  entirely  destroyed,  as  we 


LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    Jl^DSON.  <9 

all  expect  to  embark  for  Bengal  in  a  day  or  two.  Alas ! 
alas  !  how  changed  our  prospects  since  Mr.  Judson  left 
us  !  How  dark,  how  intricate  the  provideuce  which  now 
surrounds  us  !  Yet  it  becomes  us  to  be  still,  and  know 
that  he  is  God,  who  has  thus  ordered  our  circumstances. 

"  July  14.  Alone,  my  dear  friends,  in  this  great 
house,  without  an  individual,  excepting  my  little  girl 
and  Burmans,  I  take  my  pen  to  relate  the  strange 
vicissitudes  through  which  I  have  passed  within  a  few 
days. 

"  On  the  5th  of  this  month  I  embarked  with  Mr. 
Hough  and  family  for  Bengal,  having  previously  disposed 
of  what  I  could  not  take  with  me.  I  had  engaged  Mr. 
Judson's  teacher  to  accompany  me,  that  in  case  of  meet- 
ing him  in  Bengal,  he  could  go  on  with  his  Burman  stu- 
dies. But  the  teacher,  fearing  the  diflSculties  arising 
from  his  being  a  Burman,  broke  his  engagement,  and  re- 
fused to  go.  My  disinclination  to  proceed  in  the  course 
commenced,  had  increased  to  such  a  degree,  that  I  was 
on  the  point  of  giving  up  the  voyage  myself;  but  my 
passage  was  paid,  my  baggage  on  board,  and  I  knew  not 
how  to  separate  myself  from  the  rest  of  the  mission 
family.  The  vessel,  however,  was  several  days  in  going 
down  the  river ;  and  when  on  the  point  of  putting  out 
to  sea,  the  captain  and  officers  ascertained  she  was  in  a 
dangerous  state,  in  consequence  of  having  been  impro- 
perly loaded,  and  that  she  must  be  detained  for  a  day  or 
two  at  the  place  in  which  she  then  lay.  I  immediately 
resolved  on  giving  up  the  voyage  and  returning  to  town. 
Accordingly  the  captain  sent  up  a  boat  with  me,  and  en- 
gaged to  forward  my  baggage  the  next  day.     I  reached 


80  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

town  in  the  evening — spent  the  night  at  the  house  of  the 
only  remaining  Englishman  in  the  place,  and  to-day 
have  come  out  to  the  mission-house,  to  the  great  joy  of 
all  the  Burmans  left  on  our  premises.  Mr.  Hough  and 
his  family  will  proceed,  and  they  kindly  and  affection- 
ately urge  my  return.  I  know  I  am  surrounded  by  dan- 
gers on  every  hand,  and  expect  to  see  much  anxiety  and 
distress ;  but  at  present  I  am  tranquil,  and  intend  to 
make  an  effort  to  pursue  my  studies  as  formerly,  and 
leave  the  event  with  God." 

Alone,  doubtful  of  her  husband's  fate,  Mrs.  Judson 
thus  resolved  to  remain  at  Rangoon.  Again  her  own 
words  are  quoted  to  show  how  her  constancy  was  re- 
warded : 

*'  How  will  you  rejoice  with  me,  my  dear  parents, 
when  I  tell  you  that  I  have  this  moment  heard  that  Mr. 
Judson  has  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river !  This 
joyful  intelligence  more  than  compensates  for  the  months 
of  dejection  and  distress  which  his  long  absence  has  oc- 
casioned. Now  I  feel  ashamed  of  my  repinings,  my 
want  of  confidence  in  God  and  resignation  to  his  will. 
I  have  foolishly  thought,  because  my  trials  were  pro- 
tracted, they  would  never  end,  or,  rather,  that  they 
would  terminate  in  some  dreadful  event,  which  would 
destr.y  all  hope  of  the  final  success  of  the  mission. 
But  now  I  trust  our  prospects  will  again  brighten,  and 
cause  us  to  forget  this  night  of  affliction,  or  to  remember 
it  as  having  been  the  means  of  preparing  us  for  the  re- 
ception of  that  greatest  of  blessings — the  conversion  of 
some  of  the  Burmans." 


LIFE   OF  ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  81 


CHAPTER  V. 

ERECTION    OF   A    ZAYAT — CONVERSION   AND   BAPTISM    OP   A 

NATIVE  —  DEATH    OF    MR.    WHEELOCK MESSRS.    JUDSON 

AND  COLMAN  START  TO  VISIT  AVA. 

Having  now  been  at  the  mission  several  years,  mas- 
tered the  language,  published  several  tracts,  and  com- 
menced the  translation  of  the  Scriptures,  Mr.  Judson 
resolved  to  prosecute  more  actively  the  cause  for  which 
he  had  left  home  and  country  to  live  in  a  heathen  land. 
He  resolved  to  erect  a  small  building  for  a  zayat,  or  place 
of  worship,  and  to  begin  to  preach  the  gospel.  This 
was  a  bold  step.  Up  to  this  time  the  retired  life  of  the 
missionaries,  and  the  feelings  of  personal  friendship  en- 
tertained by  the  viceroy  and  his  wife  for  them,  had  made 
their  lives  unmolested  and  safe.  But  to  preach  publicly 
a  new  doctrine  utterly  opposed  to  the  religion  of  the 
country,  was  to  instantly  attract  the  notice  of  govern- 
ment, and,  probably,  to  draw  down  its  vengeance.  For 
a  Burman  to  renounce  his  religion  was  a  crime  punished 
by  death,  and  it  seemed  highly  improbable  that  govern- 
ment would  be  more  tolerant  towards  strangers  than  to- 
wards natives.  Still,  having  resolved  to  do  all  one  man 
could  do  for  the  conversion  of  these  benighted  fellow- 
6 


82  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

creatures,  Mr.  Judson  resolved  to  commence  public  wor- 
ship, trusting  in  God  for  protection. 

In  April,  1819,  the  zayat  was  finished,  and  public  wor- 
ship in  the  Burman  language  commenced.  Although 
Mr.  Judson  had  been  in  the  habit,  from  the  first  hour 
that  he  could  speak  the  language,  of  discoursing  with 
the  natives,  exhorting  and  conversing  with  them,  he  had 
never  before  attempted  what  might  be  called  public  wor- 
ship, or  preaching.  On  the  first  day  there  were  but  fif- 
teen people  present,  and  they  were  very  disorderly  antl 
noisy. 

Mrs.  Judson  describes  the  zayat  thus : 

"  The  zayat  is  situated  thirty  or  forty  rods  from  the 
mission-house,  and  in  dimensions  is  twenty-seven  by 
eighteen  feet.  It  is  raised  four  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  is  divided  into  three  parts.  The  first  division  is  laid 
entirely  open  to  the  road,  without  doors,  windows,  or  a 
partition  in  the  front  side,  and  takes  up  a  third  part  of 
the  whole  building.  It  is  made  of  bamboo  and  thatch, 
and  is  the  place  where  Mr.  Judson  sits  all  the  day  long, 
and  says  to  the  passers  by,  '  Ho  !  every  one  that  thirst- 
eth,'  &c.  The  next  and  middle  division  is  a  large  airy 
room,  with  four  doors  and  four  windows,  opening  in  op- 
posite directions  ;  made  entirely  of  boards,  and  is  white- 
washed, to  distinguish  it  from  the  other  zayats  around 
us. 

"  In  this  room  we  have  public  worship  in  Burman  on 
the  Sabbath ;  and  in  the  middle  of  which  I  am  now  sit- 
uated at  my  writing  table,  while  six  of  the  male  scholars 
are  at  one  end,  each  with  his  torch  and  black  board, 
over  which  he  is  industriously  bending,  and  emitting  the 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  83 

curious  sounds  of  the  language.  The  third,  and  last  di- 
vision, is  only  an  entry  way,  which  opens  into  the  garden, 
leading  to  the  mission-house. 

"  In  this  apartment,  all  the  women  are  seated,  with 
their  lights  and  black  boards,  much  in  the  same  position 
and  employment  as  the  men.  The  black  board,  on  which 
all  the  Burmans  learn  to  read  and  write,  answers  the 
same  purpose  as  our  slates.  They  are  about  a  yard  in 
length,  made  black  with  charcoal  and  the  juice  of  a  leaf; 
and  letters  are  clearly  imprinted  with  a  species  of  white 
stone,  a  little  similar  to  our  slate  pencils.  A  lesson  is 
written  out  on  this  board  by  an  instructer ;  and  when 
the  scholar  is  perfect  master  of  it,  it  is  erased,  and  a 
new  one  written.  The  Burmans  are  truly  systematic  in 
their  elementary  instructions,  and  a  scholar  is  not  con- 
sidered qualified  to  read  without  spelling,  until  he  has  a 
perfect  knowledge  of  all  the  various  combinations  of 
letters." 

Mrs.  Judson's  aid  in  translating  was  of  infinite  value 
at  this  period,  to  her  husband.  In  addition  to  her  la- 
bors in  Burman,  she  also  acquired  the  Siamese  language, 
in  order  to  be  useful  to  the  Siamese  living  in  Rangoon. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  1819,  Moung  Nau,  the  first 
convert  to  Christianity,  made  his  first  visit  to  the  zayat. 
His  visit  was  repeated,  and  it  sopn  became  evident  that 
he  was  seeking,  with  an  humble,  sincere  desire  for  truth, 
to  know  the  new  religion.  He  was  a  poor  man,  between 
thirty  and  forty  years  old,  showing  intelligence  and  do- 
cility. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  he  made  a  profession  of  his  belief 
in  Jesus  Christ  in  the  zayat  in  the  presence  of  a  number 


84  LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

of  his  countrymen.  There  now  seemed  an  earnest  spirit 
of  inquiry  awakened  in  the  natives.  Many  came  for 
tracts  and  portions  of  Scripture,  whilst  the  zayat  sel- 
dom was  empty.  Mr.  Judson  with  the  men,  and  Mrs. 
Judson  with  the  women,  passed  the  entire  day  in  ex- 
horting, teaching,  and  conversing  with  the  natives. 

Still,  although  many  were  manifestly  interested,  there 
was  much  fear  from  the  government.  All  the  natives 
agreed  in  saying  that  the  introduction  of  a  new  religion 
would  be  obnoxious  to  the  reigning  powers,  and  dan- 
gerous both  to  the  teachers  and  the  natives  embracing 
it. 

Many,  who  were  favorably  disposed  towards  Mr.  Jud- 
son, advised  him  first  to  convert  the  Emperor,  and  then 
all  would  be  well,  for  not  only  did  he  object  to  the  re- 
ligion of  foreigners,  but  persecuted  to  death  any  who 
deviated  from  the  established  religion,  amongst  his  own 
subjects. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  Mr.  Judson  received  from  Moung 
Nau,  a  letter  which  I  quote  from  his  journal : 

"I,  Moung  Nau,  the  constant  recipient  of  your  excel- 
lent favor,  approach  your  feet.  Whereas  my  lords  three 
have  come  to  the  country  of  Burmah,  not  for  the  purpose 
of  trade,  but  to  preach  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Son  of  the  eternal  God,  I,  having  heard  and  understood, 
am  with  a  joyful  mind  filled  with  love. 

"I  believe  that  the  Divine  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  suffered 
death  in  the  place  of  men,  to  atone  for  their  sins.  Like 
a  heavy  laden  man,  I  feel  my  sins  are  very  many.  The 
punishment  of  my  sins  I  deserve  to  suffer.  Since  it  is 
BO,  do  you,  sirs,  consider  that  I,  taking  refuge  in  the 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  85 

merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  receiving  baptwm, 
in  order  to  become  his  disciple,  shall  dwell  one  vith 
yourselves,  a  band  of  brothers,  in  the  happiness  of 
heaven.  It  is  through  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ,  that 
you,  sirs,  have  come  by  ship  from  one  country  and  con- 
tinent to  another,  and  that  we  have  met  together.  I 
pray  my  lords  three,  that  a  suitable  day  may  be  ap- 
pointed, and  that  I  may  receive  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism. 

"Moreover,  as  it  is  only  since  I  have  met  with  you, 
sirs,  that  I  have  known  about  the  eternal  God,  I  venture 
to  pray  that  you  will  still  unfold  to  me  the  religion  of 
God,  that  my  old  disposition  may  be  destroyed,  and  my 
new  disposition  improved." 

This  letter  being  laid  before  Messrs.  Colman  and 
Wheelock,  who  had  joined  Mr.  Judson  in  1818,  it  wa8 
made  the  subject  of  special  prayer,  and  as  Moung  Nau 
had  given  evidence  of  much  faith  and  seemed  truly  to 
believe  in  Jesus  and  desire  baptism,  it  was  agreed  to 
grant  his  petition.  I  again  quote  from  Mr.  Judson's 
journal: 

'■''June  27, 1819.  Lord's-day,  There  were  several  stran- 
gers present  at  worship.  After  the  usual  course,  I  called 
Moung  Nau  before  me,  read  and  commented  on  an  ap- 
propriate portion  of  Scripture,  asked  him  several  ques- 
tions concerning  his  faith^  Iwpe^  and  love^  and  made  the 
baptismal  prayer,  having  concluded  to  have  all  the 'pre- 
paratory exercises  done  in  the  zayat.  We  then  proceeded 
to  a  large  pond  in  the  vicinity,  the  bank  of  which  is 
graced  with  an  enormous  image  of  Gaudama,  and  there 
administered  baptism  to  the  first  Burman  convert.     Oh, 


86  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

may  it  prove  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  baptisms  in  the 
Burman  empire,  which  shall  continue  in  uninterrupted 
succession  to  the  end  of  time ! 

*^July  4.  Lords-day.  We  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
sitting  down,  for  the  first  time,  at  the  Lord's  table,  with 
a  converted  Burman;  and  it  was  my  privilege — a  privi- 
lege to  which  I  have  been  looking  forward  with  desire 
for  many  years — to  administer  the  Lord's  supper  in  two 
languages." 

Mrs.  Judson  speaks  of  the  event,  thus : 

"Little  did  I  think,  when  I  last  wrote,  that  I  should 
so  soon  have  the  joyful  intelligence  to  communicate,  that 
one  Burman  has  embraced  the  Christian  religion,  and 
given  good  evidence  of  being  a  true  disciple  of  the  dear 
Redeemer.  This  event,  this  single  trophy  of  victorious 
grace,  has  filled  our  hearts  with  sensations  hardly  to  be 
conceived  by  Christians  in  Christian  countries.  This 
circumstance  has  convinced  us,  that  God  can  and  does 
operate  on  the  minds  of  the  most  dark  and  ignorant;  and 
that  he  makes  his  own  truths,  his  own  words,  the  instru- 
ment of  operation.  It  serves,  also,  to  encourage  us  to 
hope,  that  the  Lord  has  other  chosen  ones  in  his  place. 
As  Mr.  Judson  has  given  some  account  of  the  first  im- 
pressions of  this  man,  and  as  I  have  had  him  particularly 
under  my  instruction  since  his  conversion,  I  will  give 
you  some  of  his  remarks  in  his  own  words,  with  which 
you  will  be  much  interested.  '  In  our  religion,  there  is 
no  way  to  escape  the  punishment  due  to  sin  ;  but  accord- 
ing to  the  religion  of  Christ,  he  himself  has  died  in  order 
to  deliver  his  disciples.  I  wish- all  the  Burmans  would 
become  his   disciples ;  then  we  should  meet  together  aa 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  87 

you  do  in  your  country ;  then  we  should  all  be  happy 
together  in  heaven.  How  great  are  my  thanks  to  Jesus 
Christ  for  sending  teachers  to  this  country  !  and  how 
great  are  my  thanks  to  the  teachers  for  coming  !  Had 
they  never  come  and  built  that  zayat,  1  should  never 
have  heard  of  Christ  and  the  true  God.  I  mourn  that 
so  much  of  my  life  passed  away  before  I  heard  of  this 
religion.  How  much  I  have  lost !'  It  is  peculiarly  in- 
teresting to  see  with  what  eagerness  he  drinks  in  the 
truths  from  the  Scriptures.  A  few  days  ago,  I  was 
reading  with  him  Christ's  sermon  on  the  mount.  He  was 
deeply  impressed,,  and  unusually  solemn.  '  These  words,' 
said  he,  '•  take  hold  on  my  very  heart ;  they  make  me 
tremble.  Here  God  commands  us  to  do  everything  that 
is  good  in  secret,  not  to  be  seen  of  men.  How  unlike 
our  religion  is  this  ?  When  Burmans  make  offerings  to 
the  pagodas,  they  make  a  great  noise  with  drums  and 
musical  instruments,  that  others  may  see  how  good  they 
are.  But  this  religion  makes  the  mind  fear  God;  it 
makes  it  of  its  own  accord  fear  sin.'  When  I  read  this 
passage.  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures^  ^c,  he  said, 
'  What  words  are  these  !  It  does  not  mean  that  we  shall 
take  the  silver  and  gold  from  this  world,  and  carry  them 
to  heaven  ;  but  that  by  becoming  the  disciples  of  Jesus, 
we  shall  live  in  such  a  manner  as  to  enjoy  heaven  when 
we  die.'  We  have  taken  him  into  our  employ  for  the 
present,  as  a  copyist,  though  our  primary  object  was  to 
have  him  near  us,  that  we  might  have  a  better  opportu- 
nity to  know  more  of  him  before  he  received  baptism, 
and  of  imparting  to  him  more  instruction  than  occasional 
visits  could  afford.     Mornings  and  evenings  he  spends  in 


88  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

reading  the  Scriptures,  and  when  we  all  meet  in  the  hall 
for  family  worship,  he  comes  and  sits  with  us ;  though 
he  cannot  understand,  he  says  he  can  think  of  God  in  his 
neart. 

"June  4itK.  I  have  just  had  a  very  interesting  meet- 
ing with  the  women,  fifteen  in  number.  They  appeared 
unusually  solemn,  and  I  could  not  help  hoping  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  was  hovering  over  us,  and  would  ere  long 
descend  and  enlighten  their  precious,  immortal  souls. 
Their  minds  seem  to  be  already  prepared  to  embrace  the 
truth,  as  their  prejudices  in  favor  of  the  Burman  reli- 
gion are  apparently  destroyed.  They  also  appear  to  be 
convinced  that  the  atonement  for  sin  provided  in  the  gos- 
pel is  suitable  for  persons  in  their  situation.  But  they  fre- 
quently say  the  great  difficulty  in  the  way  of  their  be- 
coming Christians  is,  the  sinfulness  of  their  hearts, 
which  they  cannot  yet  overcome.  Oh  for  the  influences 
of  that  Spirit,  which  can  alone  effect  the  mighty  change  !" 

Death  now  visited  the  little  band  of  missionaries,  sum- 
moning to  his  eternal  home,  Mr.  Wheelock.  He  left 
Rangoon  for  Bengal,  in  August,  but  in  so  low  a  state  of 
health,  that  it  seemed  hopeless  to  think  of  his  arrival 
there.  On  the  passage,  in  the  delirium  of  fever,  he  threw 
himself  overboard,  and  was  drowned. 

Slowly,  but  surely,  the  saving  doctrines  of  Christian- 
ity were  spreading  amongst  the  Burmans  at  Rangoon. 
Day  after  day,  public  worship  was  held  at  the  zayat,  and 
many  stopped  to  converse  with  the  teachers.  It  is  im- 
possible, in  the  limits  of  this  work,  to  record  the  individ- 
ual cases  of  conversion.  There  w^as  no  startling  rapidity 
in  the  movements  of  the  missionaries.     With  the  fear 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  ^ 

of  incurring  the  displeasure  of  government  constantlj 
before  them,  the  natives  approached  the  teachers  fearfully 
and  cautiously,  and  combated  the  inroads  of  divine 
grace,  vfiih  all  the  superstitious  fervor  of  a  nation  strong 
in  their  religious  faith,  and  conceited  in  their  belief  of 
the  saving  power  of  external  works.    ' 

Moung  Shwa-gnong,  a  teacher,  a  man  of  intelligence 
and  learning,  after  showing  a  keen  interest  in  the  inves- 
tigation of  the  merits  of  the  new  religion,  was  summoned 
before  the  Viceroy,  and,  the  fear  of  displeasing  the  gov- 
ernment being  stronger  than  his  love  for  the  new  faith, 
he,  for  a  time,  ceased  to  inquire  further  from  the  teach- 
ers. The  fact  of  one  of  their  number  having  been  sus- 
pected, caused  the  inquirers  to  tremble  for  their  own 
safety ;  and  the  little  congregation  at  the  zayat,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  actual  converts,  fell  off  entirely. 

Seeing  how  hopeless  the  task  before  them  had  become, 
Messrs.  Judson  and  Colman  resolved  to  leave  Rangoon 
for  a  time,  to  visit  Ava,  the  capital  of  the  empire,  and 
endeavor  to  obtain  the  permission  of  the  emperor,  to 
continue  their  religious  instructions.  Accordingly,  in 
December,  1819,  accompanied  by  Moung  Nau,  as  a  ser- 
vant, the  two  missionaries  left  Rangoon  for  Ava,  leavihg 
their  families  till  their  return. 


90  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

VISIT     TO     AVA  —  RETURN     TO     RANGOON — FIRST     FEMALE 

CONVERT    BAPTIZED MRS.    JUDSON's    ILLNESS MR.    AND 

MRS.    JUDSON    SAIL    FOR   BENGAL. 

After  a  passage  of  thirty  days  up  the  Irrawadi,  the 
missionaries  arrived  at  Ava.  They  were  kindly  re- 
ceived by  their  old  friend,  the  Viceroy  at  Rangoon, 
when  Mr.  Judson  first  established  the  mission,  who  had 
been  called  to  a  higher  post  at  the  capital,  and  his  place 
filled  by  the  Viceroy  then  presiding.  They  had  taken 
with  them,  as  a  present  to  the  Emperor,  the  Bible,  in 
six  volumes,  covered  in  the  Burman  style,  with  gold  leaf, 
and  each  volume  enclosed  in  a  rich  wrapper.  Mr.  Jud- 
son thus  describes  their  visit : 

*'  January  26th,  1820.  We  repaired  to  the  house  of 
Mya-day-men,  former  Viceroy  of  Rangoon,  now  one  of 
the  public  ministers  of  state,  (woon-gyee.)  We  gave 
him  a  valuable  present,  and  another  of  legs  value  to  his 
wife.  They  both  received  us  very  kindly,  and  appeared 
to  interest  themselves  in  our  success.  We,  however,  did 
not  disclose  our  precise  object,  but  only  petitioned  leave 
to  behold  the  golden  face.  Upon  this,  his  highness  com- 
mitted our  business  to   Moung  Yo,  one   of  his  favorite 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  91 

officers,  and  directed  him  to  introduce  us  to  Moung  Zah, 
one  of  the  private  ministers  of  state,  (a-twen-woon,)  with 
the  necessary  orders. 

"  January  27th.  We  left  the  boat,  and  put  ourselves 
under  the  conduct  of  Moung  Yo.  He  carried  us  first 
to  Mya-day-men,  as  a  matter  of  form ;  and  there  we 
learned  that  the  emperor  had  been  privately  apprised  of 
our  arrival,  and  said,  'Let  them  be  introduced.'  We 
therefore  proceeded  to  the  palace.  At  the  outer  gate, 
we  were  detained  a  long  time,  until  the  various  officers 
were  satisfied  that  we  had  a  right  to  enter,  after  which 
we  deposited  a  present  for  the  private  minister  of  state, 
Moung  Zah,  and  were  ushered  into  his  apartments  in  the 
palace  yard.  He  received  us  very  pleasantly,  and  or- 
dered us  to  sit  before  several  governors  and  petty  kings, 
who  were  waiting  at  his  levee.  We  here,  for  the  first 
time,  disclosed  our  character  and  object — told  him  that 
we  were  missionaries,  or  'propagators  of  religion;'  that 
we  wished  to  appear  before  the  emperor,  and  present 
our  sacred  books,  accompanied  with  a  petition.  He  took 
the  petition  into  his  hand,  looked  over  about  half  of  it, 
and  then  familiarly  asked  several  questions  about  our 
God  and  our  religion,  to  which  we  replied.  Just  at  this 
crisis,  some  one  announced  that  the  golden  foot  was 
about  to  advance  ;  on  which  the  minister  hastily  rose  up 
and  put  on  his  robes  of  state,  saying  that  he  must  seize 
the  moment  to  present  us  to  the  emperor.  We  now  found 
that  we  had  unwittingly  fallen  on  an  unpropitious  time, 
it  being  the  day  of  the  celebration  of  the  late  victory 
over  the  Kathays,  and  the  very  hour  when  his  majesty 
w^as  coming  forth  to  witness  the  display  made  on  the  oc- 


92  LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

casion.  When  the  minister  was  dressed,  he  just  said, 
'  How  can  you  propagate  religion  in  this  empire  ?  But, 
come  along.'  Our  hearts  sank  at  these  inauspicious 
words.  He  conducted  us  through  various  splendor  and 
parade,  until  we  ascended  a  flight  of  stairs,  and  entered 
a  most  magnificent  hall.  He  directed  us  where  to  sit, 
and  took  his  place  on  one  side ;  the  present  was  placed 
on  the  other  ;  and  Moung  Yo  and  another  officer  of  Mya- 
day-men  sat  a  little  behind.  The  scene  to  which  we 
were  now  introduced,  really  surpassed  our  expectation. 
The  spacious  extent  of  the  hall,  the  number  and  magni- 
tude of  the  pillars,  the  height  of  the  dome,  the  whole 
completely  covered  with  gold,  presented  a  most  grand 
and  imposing  spectacle.  Very  few  were  present,  and 
those  evidently  great  officers  of  state".  Our  situation 
prevented  us  from  seeing  the  farther  avenue  of  the  hall : 
but  the  end  where  we  sat  opened  into  the  parade,  which 
the  emperor  was  about  to  inspect.  We  remained  about 
five  minutes,  when  every  one  put  himself  into  the  most 
respectful  attitude,  and  Moung  Yo  whispered  that  his 
majesty  had  entered.  We  looked  through  the  hall  as 
far  as  the  pillars  would  allow,  and  presently  caught 
sight  of  this  modern  Ahasuerus.  He  came  forward  un- 
attended, in  solitary  grandeur,  exhibiting  the  proud  gait 
and  majesty  of  an  eastern  monarch.  His  dress  was  rich, 
but  not  distinctive ;  and  he  carried  in  his  hand  the  gold- 
sheathed  sword,  which  seems  to  have  taken  the  place  of 
the  sceptre  of  ancient  times.  But  it  was  his  high  aspect 
and  commanding  eye  that  chiefly  riveted  our  attention. 
He  strided  on.  Every  head,  excepting  ours,  was  now  in 
the  dust.     We  remained  kneeling,  our  hands  folded,  our 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  93 

eyes  fixed  on  the  monarch.  When  he  drew  near,  we 
caught  his  attention.  He  stopped,  partly  turned  towards 
us — 'Who  are  these?'  'The  teachers,  great  king,'  I 
replied.  '  What,  you  speak  Burman  ?  the  priests  that 
1  heard  of  last  night  ?  When  did  you  arrive  ?  Are  you 
teachers  of  religion  ?  Are  you  like  the  Portuguese 
priest  ?  Are  you  married  ?  Why  do  you  dress  so  ?'  These 
and  some  other  similar  questions  we  answered,  when  he 
appeared  to  be  pleased  with  us,  and  sat  down  on  an  ele- 
vated seat,  his  hand  resting  on  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  and 
his  eyes  intently  fixed  on  us.  Moung  Zah  now  began  to 
read  the  petition  ;  and  it  ran  thus  : — 

"  '  The  American  teachers  present  themselves  to  receive 
the  favor  of  the  excellent  king,  the  sovereign  of  land 
and  sea.  Hearing  that,  on  account  of  the  greatness  of 
the  royal  power,  the  royal  country  was  in  a  quiet  and 
prosperous  state,  we  arrived  at  the  town  of  Rangoon, 
within  the  royal  dominions,  and  having  obtained  leave 
of  the  governor  of  that  town  to  come  up  and  behold  the 
golden  face,  we  have  ascended  and  reached  the  bottom 
of  the  golden  feet.  In  the  great  country  of  America, 
we  sustain  the  character  of  teachers  and  explainers  of 
the  contents  of  the  sacred  Scriptures  of  our  religion. 
And  since  it  is  contained  in  those  Scriptures,  that,  if 
we  pass  to  other  countries,  and  preach  and  propagate 
religion,  great  good  will  result,  and  both  those  who  teach 
and  those  who  receive  the  religion  will  be  freed  from  fu- 
ture punishment,  and  enjoy,  without  decay  or  death,  the 
eternal  felicity  of  heaven, — that  royal  permission  be 
given,  that  we,  taking  refuge  in  the  royal  power,  may 
preach  our  religion  in  these  dominions,  and  that  those 


94  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

who  are  pleased  with  our  preaching,  and  wish  to  listen 
to  and  be  guided  by  it,  whether  foreigners  or  Burmans, 
may  be  exempt  from  government  molestation,  they  pre- 
sent themselves  to  receive  the  favor  of  the  excellent  king, 
the  sovereign  of  land  and  sea.' 

"  The  emperor  heard  this  petition,  and  stretched  out  hia 
hand.  Moung  Zah  crawled  forward  and  presented  it. 
His  majesty  began  at  the  top,  and  deliberately  read  it 
through.  In  the  mean  time,  I  gave  Moung  Zah  an 
abridged  copy  of  the  tract,  in  which  every  offensive  sen- 
tence was  corrected,  and  the  whole  put  into  the  hand- 
somest style  and  dress  possible.  After  the  emperor  had 
perused  the  petition,  he  handed  it  back  without  saying  a 
word,  and  took  the  tract.  Our  hearts  now  rose  to  God 
for  a  display  of  his  grace.  '  Oh,  have  mercy  on  Bur- 
mah  !  Have  mercy  on  her  king  !'  But,  alas  !  the  time 
was  not  yet  come.  He  held  the  tract  long  enough  to 
read  the  first  two  sentences,  which  assert  that  there  is 
one  eternal  God,  w^ho  is  independent  of  the  incidents  of 
mortality,  and  that  beside  him,  there  is  no  God ;  and 
then,  with  an  air  of  indifference,  perhaps  disdain,  he 
dashed  it  down  to  the  ground.  Moung  Zah  stooped  for- 
ward, picked  it  up,  and  handed  it  to  us.  Moung  Yo 
made  a  slight  attempt  to  save  us  by  unfolding  one  of  the. 
volumes,  which  composed  our  present,  and  displaying  its 
beauty ;  but  his  majesty  took  no  notice.  Our  fate  was 
decided.  After  a  few  moments,  Moung  ^ah  interpreted 
his  royal  master's  will,  in  the  following  terms :  '  Why 
do  you  ask  for  such  permission'?  Have  not  the  Portu- 
guese, the  English,  the  Mussulmans,  and  people  of  all 
other  religions,  full  liberty  to  practise  and  worship  ac- 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  95 

cording  to  their  own  customs  ?  In  regard  to  tlie  objects 
of  your  petition,  his  majesty  gives  no  order.  In  regard 
to  your  sacred  books,  his  majesty  has  no  use  for  them : 
take  them  away.'" 

Meeting  with  no  encouragement  from  other  officers, 
such  as  to  make  the  prospect  of  a  second  petition  being 
more  successful  than  the  first,  Messrs.  Colman  and  Jud- 
son  returned  to  Rangoon.  Three  converts  had  been 
made  in  Rangoon,  and  Mr.  Judson  called  them  together 
upon  his  return,  fearing,  almost  expecting,  that  his  re- 
port of  the  refusal  of  the  emperor  to  extend  protection 
towards  their  new  religion,  would  shake  their  constancy. 
To  his  great  joy  they  remained  steadfast  in  their  belief. 
He  then  spoke  of  the  dark  prospect  of  Rangoon ;  the 
refusal  of  the  natives  to  hear  the  truth,  manifested  in 
abandonment  of  the  zayat,  and  announced  his  resolution 
to  proceed  to  Chittagong.  Upon  hearing  this  resolve, 
the  three  converts  implored  the  teachers  to  stay,  begging 
them  to  remain  till  there  were  a  few  more  converts  and 
one  sufficiently  advanced  to  preach  to  the  rest.  It  was 
finally  decided  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colman  should  pro- 
ceed to  Chittagong,  while  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  remained 
at  Rangoon. 

Mr.  Colman,  however,  proceeded  to  a  new  station.  Cox 
Bazar,  where,  in  1822,  he  died. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  thus,  once  more  found  them- 
selves alone  at  Rangoon,  but  they  were  cheered  and  ani- 
mated by  the  spirit  of  enquiry  now  manifested  amongst 
the  natives,  and  the  affectionate  zeal  of  the  three  con- 
verts.    Mrs.  Judson  labored  as  earnestly  amongst  the 


96  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

women,  as  her  noble  husband  did  with  the  male  converts, 
and  received  visits  daily  from  the  wives  and  sisters  of 
the  natives.  The  translation  of  the  Scriptures  still  oc- 
cupied much  of  Mr.  Judson's  time. 

In  April,  1820,  Mrs.  Judson  had  an  attack  of  liver 
complaint,  and  went  through  a  course  of  salivation. 

In  June,  Mr.  Judson  writes : 

''''June  27.  Mrs.  J.,  after  having  been  through  two 
courses  of  salivation  for  the  liver  complaint,  at  length 
despairs  of  recovering,  without  some  proper  medical  as- 
sistance. For  a  few  days,  we  have  hoped  that  she  would 
get  some  relief  from  the  various  applications  which  are 
made,  though  at  the  expense  of  an  almost  total  exhaus- 
tion of  strength ;  but  this  morning,  to  our  utter  disap- 
pointment, the  disorder  has  returned  with  increased  vio- 
lence ;  and  her  constitution  appears  to  be  rapidly  failing. 
I  have  intended,  for  some  time  past,  to  send  her  alone 
to  Bengal ;  but  she  has  become  too  weak,  and  the  pre- 
sent circumstances  of  the  case  are  too  alarming  to  allow 
such  a  measure ;  and  I  have,  therefore,  concluded  to  ac- 
company her." 

Accordingly  preparations  for  the  journey  were  made, 
and,  on  the  19th  of  July,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  sailed 
for  Bengal. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  the  first  female  convert,  Mah 
Men-la,  was  baptized,  making  the  tenth  Burman  who 
had  gone  through  the  solemn  ceremony. 

It  may  be  well  at  this  point  to  sum  up  the  progress 
made  by  the  missionaries  during  their  stay  at  Rangoon. 
They  had  acquired  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  language 


LIFB   OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  97 

a  grammar,  dictionary,  several  tracts,  and  a  portion  of 
the  Scripture  had  been  prepared,  written,  translated  into 
Burmese,  and  printed.  Ten  converts,  notwithstanding 
the  fear  of  persecution  by  government,  had  been  bap» 
tized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
7 


M  LIFE   OF  ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSOH. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

RETURN  TO  RANGOON — MRS.  JUDSON'S  RENEWED  ILLNESS — 
VOYAGE  TO  ENGLAND — VISITS  IN  ENGLAND  AND  AMERICA 
RETURN  TO  INDIA. 

Mrs.  Judson,  after  a  short  sojourn  in  Calcutta,  find- 
ing her  health  but  little  benefited  by  the  climate  there, 
removed  to  Serampore.  She  remained  here  until  Jan  • 
uary,  1821,  when  the  violence  of  the  disease  having 
abated,  she  returned  with  Mr.  Judson  to  Rangoon. 
Thej  were  received  with  eager  demonstrations  of  joy, 
by  the  aff'ectionate  converts,  and  the  many  visitors  who 
had  been  in  the  habit  of  repairing  to  the  zayat.  News 
of  great  importance,  too,  was  awaiting  them.  An  ex- 
tract from  Mr.  Judson's  journal  explains  the  event,  and 
the  hopes  it  inspired  : 

"  The  most  important  event  (and  that  relates  of  course 
to  Moung  Shwa-gnong)  remains  to  be  mentioned.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  he  was  accused  before  the  former 
Viceroy,  of  being  a  heretic,  and  that  the  simple  reply, 
'Inquire  further,'  spread  dismay  amongst  us  all,  and 
was  one  occasion  of  our  visit  to  Ava.  Soon  after  Mya- 
day-men  assumed  the  government  of  this  province,  all 
the    priests   and   officers  of  the  village  where  Moung 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  99 

Shwa-gnong  lives  entered  into  a  conspiracy  to  destroy 
him.  They  held  daily  consultations,  and  assumed  a  tone 
of  triumph;  while  poor  Moung  Shwa-gnong's  courage 
began  to  flag,  and,  though  he  does  not  like  to  own  it,  he 
thought  he  must  flee  for  his  life.  At  length,  one  of  the 
conspiracy,  a  member  of  the  supreme  court,  went  intc 
the  presence  of  the  Viceroy,  and  in  order  to  sound  bib 
disposition,  complained  that  the  teacher  Moung  Shwa- 
gnong  was  making  every  endeavor  to  turn  the  priests' 
rice  pot  bottom  upwards.  ^  What  consequence  T  said 
the  Viceroy.  *  Ijet  the  'priests  turn  it  hack  again.'  This 
sentence  was  enough ;  the  hopes  of  the  conspiracy  were 
blasted,  and  all  the  disciples  felt  that  they  w-ere  sure  of 
toleration  under  Mya-day-men.  But  his  administration 
will  not  probably  continue  many  months." 

A  touching  instance  of  the  influence  of  Christianity 
upon  these  savage  hearts  awaited  Mrs.  Judson.  The 
female  convert  Mah-Men-la,  anxious  to  aid  the  great 
cause,  voluntarily  proposed  to  open  a  school  for  children 
in  Rangoon,  that  the  little  ones  need  not  go  to  the 
priests  for  education,  but  be  early  led  to  worship  the 
true  God. 

Still  the  little  band  of  converts,  although  repairing 
•frequently  to  the  zayat  for  instruction  and  intercourse 
with  the  teachers,  were  cautious,  and  it  was  not  gener- 
ally known  that  any  Burmans  had  actually  embraced 
the  new  religion. 

In  August,  sickness  visited  again  these  noble  self-sac- 
rificing missionaries.     Mr.  Judson  writes  : 

"  August  4^.  Am  just  recovering  from  the  second  fit 
of  sickness  which  I  have  had  this  season.     The  first  wati 


100  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  cholera  morbus ;  the  present  has  been  a  fever.  Tbo 
second  day  after  I  was  taken,  Mrs.  J.  was  taken  with 
the  same ;  and  for  several  days  we  were  unable  to  help 
one  another.  Through  divine  mercy,  however,  we  con- 
trived to  get  our  medicines  from  time  to  time,  and  are 
now  in  a  convalescent  state,  so  far  as  the  fever  is  con- 
cerned. Mrs.  J.,  however,  is  suffering  severely  under 
the  liver  complaint,  which,  notwithstanding  continual 
salivations,  is  making  such  rapid  and  alarming  advances, 
as  to  preclude  all  hope  of  her  recovery  in  this  part  of 
the  world." 

Mrs.  Judson  grew  worse  so  rapidly  that  it  was  evi- 
dent that  a  voyage  to  a  colder  climate  was  positively  ne- 
cessary for  the  preservation  of  her  life.  Accordingly 
on  the  21st  of  August  she  left  Rangoon  for  Bengal,  in- 
tending to  take  passage  for  America,  and  bearing  to  Mr. 
Hough  the  following  letter  from  her  husband : 

My  dear  Brother  Hough  :  I  send  you  herewith 
Mrs.  Judson,  and  all  that  remains  of  the  blue  pills  and 
senna,  and  beg  you  will  see  the  articles  all  well  packed 
and  shipped  for  America  by  the  earliest  safe  opportu- 
nity. Whatever  expenses  may  be  incurred  be  so  good 
as  to  defray  from  your  own  funds,  and  transmit  your  bill 
to  me. 

It  is  said  that  man  is  prone  to  jest  in  the  depth  of 
misery ;  and  the  bon-mots  of  the  scaffold  have  been  col- 
lected :  you  may  add  the  above  specimen  to  the  list  if 
you  like.  I  feel  as  if  I  was  on  the  scaffold,  and  signing, 
as  it  were,  my  own  death  warrant.     However,  two  years 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  103 

will  pass  away  at  last.     Time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man, 
heedless  alike  of  our  joys  and  sorrows. 

When  I  last  wrote,  I  was  in  the  latter  part  of  Acts ; 
since  that  time,  I  have  done  nothing  at  all.  For  ten 
days  or  a  fortnight  we  were  laid  by  with  fever,  unable 
to  help  one  another,  and  no  living  soul  to  depend  on  but 
Emily ;  and  since  we  became  convalescent,  I  have  been 
occupied  in  making  up  my  mind  to  have  my  right  arm 
amputated,  and  my  right  eye  extracted,  which  the  doctors 
say  are  necessary  in  order  to  prevent  a  decay  and  mor- 
tification of  the  whole  body  conjugal. 

A  letter  to  Dr.  Baldwin  gives  an  account  of  Mrs. 
Judson's  arrival  in  Calcutta,  and  the  reasons  for  chang 
ing  her  proposed  trip  to  America  for  one  to  England : 

Calcutta,  Dec.  8,  1821. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir  : 

I  left  Rangoon  last  August,  and  arrived  in  Calcutta 
on  the  22d  of  September.  My  disorder  gained  ground 
so  rapidly,  that  nothing  but  a  voyage  to  sea,  and  the 
benefit  of  a  cold  climate,  presented  the  least  hope  of 
life.  You  will  readily  imagine  that  nothing  but  the 
prospect  of  a  final  separation  would  have  induced  us  to 
decide  on  this  measure,  under  circumstances  so  trying  as 
those  in  which  we  were  placed.  But  duty  to  God,  to 
ourselves,  to  the  Board  of  Missions,  and  to  the  perishing 
Burmans,  compelled  us  to  adopt  this  course  of  proced- 
ure, though  agonizing  to  all  the  natural  feelings  of  our 
hearts.  On  my  arrival  in  Calcutta,  inquiries  were  im- 
mediately made  relative  to  a  voyage  to  America.     But, 


102  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

to  my  great  disappointment,  I  found  most  of  the  Ameri- 
can Captains  far  from  being  disposed  to  take  passengers, 
on  account  of  having  their  cargoes  engaged  to  the  ex- 
tent of  the  tonnage  of  their  vessels.  One  captain,  how- 
ever, offered  to  give  me  a  passage  for  fifteen  hundred 
rupees,  but  I  could  not  think  of  causing  the  Board  so 
great  an  expense.  In  mentioning  my  circumstances  to 
Mrs.  Thompson,  (lady  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson,  chap- 
lain,) she  suggested  the  advantages  of  a  voyage  to  Eng- 
land, on  account  of  the  superior  accommodations,  medi- 
cal advice,  and  female  passengers,  in  English  ships. 
The  pious  captain  of  a  ship  bound  to  England  was  then 
residing  in  her  family ;  with  him  she  consulted,  and  they 
made  arrangements  for  my  passage  for  five  hundred  ru- 
pees, provided  I  went  in  a  cabin  with  three  children,  who 
were  going  to  England.  As  my  only  object  in  going  to 
sea,  is  restoration  of  health,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  secure 
a  passage,  though  I  should  have  rejoiced  (since  I  must 
take  a  long  voyage)  to  have  gone  direct  to  America. 
The  father  of  the  children  has  since  arrived  in  Calcutta, 
and  has  very  kindly  offered  to  pay  the  whole  price  of  the 
cabin,  (which  is  four  thousand  rupees,)  which  will  enable 
me  to  go  to  England,  free  of  expense  to  the  Board. 

If  the  pain  in  my  side  is  entirely  removed,  while  on 
my  passage  to  Europe,  I  shall  return  to  India  in  the 
same  ship,  and  proceed  immediately  to  Rangoon.  But 
if  not,  I  shall  go  over  to  America,  and  spend  one  winter 
in  my  dear  native  country.  As  ardently  as  I  long  to 
see  my  beloved  friends  in  America,  I  cannot  prevail  on 
myself  to  be  any  longer  from  Rangoon  than  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  preservation  of  my  life.     I  have  had  a 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  103 

severe  struggle  relative  to  my  immediate  return  to  Ran 
goon,  instead  of  going  to  England.     But  I  did  not  ven- 
ture  to  go  contrary  to  the  convictions  of  reason,  to  the 
opinion  of  an  eminent  and  skilful  physician,  and  the  re- 
peated injunctions  of  Mr.  Judson. 

Relative  to  the  Rangoon  mission,  I  presume  Mr. 
Judson  has  given  you  all  the  information.  But  perhaps 
I  have  received  letters  of  a  later  date,  and  may  be  able 
to  communicate  something,  of  which  you  may  not  have 
heard.  My  last  from  Rangoon  was  dated  October  26, 
Moung  Shwa-gnong  had  been  accused  before  the  Viceroy, 
and  had  disappeared.  Mr.  Judson  had  felt  much 
anxiety  and  distress  on  his  account,  fearing  he  had  done 
something  in  the  way  of  retraction,  which  prevented  his 
visiting  him.  But  in  a  fortnight  he  was  agreeably  sur- 
prised at  seeing  him  enter.  Moung  Shwa-gnong  in- 
formed Mr.  Judson,  that,  having  been  accused,  he 
thought  it  the  wisest  way  to  keep  out  of  sight ;  that  he 
had  put  all  his  family  on  board  a  boat,  and  was  going 
up  the  country  among  the  sect  of  heretics  with  whom  he 
once  associated,  and  had  now  come  to  take  leave,  obtain 
tracts,  gospels,  &c.  Mr.  Judson  furnished  him  witk 
what  was  necessary,  and  bid  him  God  speed.  He  will, 
no  doubt,  do  much  good  among  that  class  of  people;  for 
it  is  impossible  for  him  to  be  any  time  with  his  friends, 
without  conversing  on  the  subject  of  religion.  Moung- 
Ing  had  returned  as  steadfast,  and  as  much  devoted  to 
the  cause  as  ever.  He  and  Moung  Shwa-ba  spend  every 
evening  in  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  finding  the  places 
where  the  apostles  preached,  on  a  map  which  Mr.  Jud- 
son has   made  for  them.      Another  Burman  has  been 


104  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

baptized,  who  gives  decided  evidence  of  being  a  true 
Christian.  Have  we  not,  mj  dear  sir,  every  reason  to 
trust  in  God  in  future,  when  we  see  what  he  has  done  in 
Rangoon  ?  Could  you  see  at  once  the  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  the  conversion  of  the  Burmans,  the  grace  of 
God  would  appear  ten  times  as  conspicuous  as  it  now 
does.  When  we  hardly  ventured  to  hope  that  we  should 
ever  see  a  truly  converted  Burman,  how  great  is  our  joy 
to  see  a  little  church  rise  up  in  the  midst  of  that  wilder- 
ness, consisting  of  thirteen  converted  Burmans. 

A  severe  attack  of  her  complaint  confined  her  to  her 
cabin  for  several  days  during  her  passage,  but  her  health 
was  improved  upon  her  arrival  in  England.  She  was 
received  by  Joseph  Butterworth,  Esq.,  M.  P.,  and  urged 
to  make  his  house  her  home  during  her  residence  in  Eng- 
land. Whilst  in  his  family  she  was  visited  by  many  of 
the  persons  most  noted  through  England  for  piety  and 
literary  attainments.  Amongst  them  were  Wilberforce, 
Babington,  and  the  king's  chaplain,  Sumner.  She 
visited  Scotland  by  the  invitation  of  friends  who  de- 
frayed her  expenses,  and  upon  her  return  to  Liverpool, 
other  friends,  hearing  that  she  intended  to  sail  for 
America  in  a  packet,  persuaded  her  to  embark  in  a  more 
commodious  vessel,  generously  paying  the  price  of  her 
passage. 

In  August,  1822,  she  embarked  on  board  the  Amity, 
for  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Price,  in  the  meantime,  had  been  sent  by  the 
Baptist  Board  to  Rangoon,  in  the  double  capacity  of 
Physician   and  Minister.     He  arrived  in  December  of 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  105 

1821,  and  on  the  following  January,  Mr.  Hough  again 
joined  Mr.  Judson. 

Mrs.  Judson  arrived  in  New  York,  in  September,  but 
owing  to  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever,  did  not  land 
there,  taking  a  steamboat  passage  for  Philadelphia.  It 
was  her  intention  to  make  but  a  short  visit  there,  and 
proceed  immediately  to  Bradford,  but  her  physician  ad- 
vised her  to  go  to  Washington. 

Upon  at  length  joining  her  dear  relatives  and  friends  in 
Bradford,  she  was  subjected  to  a  keen  disappointment. 
She  had  hoped  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  bosom  of  her 
family,  and  sail  for  Burmah  in  the  spring.  The  severity 
of  a  New  England  winter,  and  the  excitement  of  receiv- 
ing so  many  old  friends,  proved  too  much  for  a  frame 
already  enfeebled  by  disease,  and  the  "physician  ordered 
her  to  the  south,  as  the  only  hope  of  regaining  her 
strength.  As  she  had  left  her  beloved  husband,  and  her 
dear  missionary  labors,  solely  to  gain  renewed  strength 
for  her  task  amongst  the  Burmans,  so,  now,  thinking  only 
of  the  end  to  be  gained,  she  tore  herself  from  the  newl}^- 
found  haven  of  rest,  to  pass  the  winter  in  Baltimore. 

A  letter  written  to  Mrs.  Chapin,  during  her  residence 
there,  shows  that  although  enfeebled  in  health,  she  still 
devoted  herself  to  the  great  cause  in  which  her  life's  in- 
terest was  absorbed ;  and,  as  she  could  not  then  assist 
Mr.  Judson  in  his  personal  labors  amongst  the  Burmans^ 
she  strove  to  interest  her  friends  in  the  United  States, 
by  writing  a  "History  of  the  Burman  Mission."  Aa 
soon  as  this  work  was  published,  she  presented  the  copy- 
right of  it  to  the  Convention.     I  give  her  letter  entire. 


lOB  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 


TO    MRS.    CHAPLIN    OF   WATERVILLE. 

Baltimore,  Bee.  Wth,  1822. 
My  DEAR  Mrs.  Chaplin  : — 

All  your  kind  favors,  dictated,  I  doubt  not,  by  the 
sincerest  affection,  have  been  received,  and  demand  from 
me  an  early  communication,  with  a  particular  account  of 
my  present  situation,  plans,  and  prospects.  I  did  intend 
writing  you  from  Boston,  but  such  was  the  state  of  my 
health  and  engagements  with  our  dear  friends  in  that 
city,  that  I  was  necessitated  to  defer  it  till  the  present 
time.  Relative  to  my  leaving  New  England  for  the 
south,  when  you  shall  hear  my  reasons,  you  will,  I  dare 
say,  join  with  me  in  thinking  that  duty  to  myself  and 
Mr.  Judson  required  my  proceeding  as  I  have.  I  had 
never  fuUi/  counted  the  cost  of  a  visit  to  my  dear  native 
country,  and  beloved  relatives.  I  did  not  expect  that  a 
scene  which  I  had  anticipated  as  so  joyous,  was  destined 
to  give  my  health  and  constitution  a  shock  which  would  re- 
quire months  to  repair.  During  my  passage  from  Eng- 
land, my  health  was  most  perfect,  not  the  least  symptom 
of  my  original  disorder  remained.  But  from  the  day  of 
my  arrival,  the  idea  that  I  was  once  more  on  American 
ground,  banished  all  peace  and  quiet  from  my  mind,  and 
for  the  first  four  days  and  nights  I  never  closed  my  eyes 
to  sleep !  This  circumstance,  together  with  dwelling  on 
my  anticipated  meeting  with  my  friends,  occasioned  the 
most  alarming  apprehensions.  Still,  however,  I  flattered 
myself,  that  after  my  first  meeting  with  my  friends  was 
over,  I  should  gradually  recover  my  composure,  and  has- 
tened my  departure  for  the  eastward.  I  reached  my  father's 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  107 

in  about  a  fortnight  after  my  arrival  in  this  country,  and 
had  not  been  able  to  procure  a  single  night's  sleep.  The 
scene  which  ensued,  brought  my  feelings  to  a  crisis  ;  nature 
was  quite  exhausted,  and  I  began  to  fear  would  sink. 
To  be  concise,  my  health  began  to  decline  in  a  most 
alarming  manner,  and  the  pain  in  my  side  and  cough 
returned.  I  was  kept  in  a  state  of  constant  excitement, 
by  daily  meeting  with  my  old  friends  and  acquaintances, 
and  during  the  whole  six  weeks  of  my  residence  at  my 
father's,  I  had  not  one  quiet  night's  rest.  I  felt  the  cold 
most  severely,  and  found,  as  that  increased,  my  cough 
increased. 

You  may  not,  perhaps,  be  aware  of  the  circumstance, 
that  Mr.  Judson's  only  brother  is  a  physician  of  some 
considerable  skill,  under  government,  and  located  for  the 
winter  in  this  city.  During  my  stay  at  Bradford,  his 
letters  were  most  frequent  and  urgent,  relative  to  my 
removal  to  the  south,  for  the  purpose  of  salivating,  as 
the  most  dangerous  consequences  would  ensue,  should  I, 
with  my  Indian  constitution,  salivate  at  the  north.  I 
saw  that  my  disorder  was  rapidly  gaining  ground — my 
nervous  system  had  become  so  much  affected,  that  the 
very  sight  of  an  old  dear  friend  was  quite  distressing, 
and  1  really  desired  to  get  away  from  the  sight  of  every 
human  being,  as  it  had  become  very  painful  to  talk. 
Thus  situated,  there  was  no  hope  of  my  recovery,  as  my 
father's  house  was  thronged  with  visiters  from  day  to 
day.  Painful  as  it  was  to  think  of  leaving  my  beloved 
family,  I  felt  convinced,  since  it  was  my  only  object  in 
visiting  this  country,  duty  required  that  everything  should 
yield  to  endeavors  to  regain  my  health.     I  knew  that 


108  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

retirement,  and  freedom  from  company  and  excitemeni, 
were  as  necessary  as  a  milder  climate,  neither  of  Avhicli 
could  be  obtained  in  Bradford.  My  sister  had  made  ar- 
rangements to  accompany  me ;  but  meeting  in  Boston 
with  a  pious  man  going  on  to  Washington,  and  knowing 
I  should  receive  the  kindest  attention  when  once  with  my 
brother,  I  desired  her  to  return  to  Bradford  to  comfort 
my  parents. 

I  have  been  in  this  city  about  a  fortnight,  and  am  very 
comfortably  situated  with  my  brother  at  a  boarding-house, 
where  I  refuse  to  receive  company  of  every  description, 
till  my  health  is  re-established.  I  find  the  climate  mild 
and  delightful — have  the  best  medical  attendance  in  the 
city,  through  the  influence  of  my  brother — have  com- 
menced a  course  of  mercury,  which,  I  trust,  through  the 
blessing  of  God,  will  perfectly  restore  my  health,  and 
find  my  nervous  system  so  far  restored  to  its  usual  state, 
that  I  am  able  to  study  four  and  five  hours  every  day. 
This,  to  me,  is  an  unspeakable  comfort,  as  I  hope  my 
time  will  not  be  entirely  lost  in  my  endeavors  to  regain 
fQj  health.  While  in  England,  my  friends  repeatedly 
urged  my  writing  an  account  of  the  Burman  Mission,  as 
so  little  information  had  hitherto  been  communicated. 
On  my  passage  I  made  a  beginning,  in  a  "  Series  of  Let- 
ters addressed  to  Mr.  Butterworth,"  in  whose  house  I 
resided  during  my  stay  in  England.  While  at  Bradford, 
I  was  unable  to  proceed  in  this  work  ;  but  since  my  ar- 
rival here,  my  freedom  from  interruption  has  enabled  me 
to  go  on — and  I  find  much  pleasure  in  the  consideration 
that  I  shall  be  able  to  give  to  my  friends,  not  only  in 
England,  but  America,  that  information  relative  to  the 


LIFE   OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JU-DSON.  109 

Burman  Empire,  which  my  state  of  health  forbids  my 
verbally  communicating.  My  object  is,  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  the  American  Baptist  Mission  to  Burmah — its 
origin,  progress,  and  success  ;  consisting  principally  in 
a  compilation  of  those  letters  and  documents  transmitted 
to  friends  in  America,  interspersed  with  accounts  of  the 
population,  manners,  and  customs,  of  the  Burmans. 

Thus,  my  dear  Mrs.  C,  have  I  been  particular,  and, 
I  fear,  tiresome,  in  my  account  of  myself.  But  your 
kindness,  your  affectionate  concern  for  my  welfare,  is  all 
the  excuse  I  have  to  offer.  Your  kind  hint,  relative  to 
my  being  injured  by  the  lavish  attention  of  our  dear 
friends  in  this  country,  has  much  endeared  you  to  my 
heart.  I  am  well  aw^are  that  human  applause  has  a  ten- 
dency to  elate  the  soul,  and  render  it  less  anxious  about 
spiritual  enjoyments,  particularly  if  the  individual  is  con- 
scious of  deserving  them.  But  I  must  say,  that  since 
my  return  to  this  country,  I  have  often  been  affected  to 
tears,  in  hearing  the  undeserved  praises  of  my  friends, 
feeling  that  I  was  far,  very  far  from  being  what  they 
imagined,  and  that  there  are  thousands  of  poor,  obscure 
Christians,  whose  excellences  will  never  be  known  in  this 
world,  who  are  a  thousand  times  more  deserving  of  the 
tender  regard  of  their  fellow  christians  than  I  am.  Yet, 
I  trust,  I  am  grateful  to  my  Heavenly  Father  for  inclin- 
mg  the  hearts  of  his  children  to  look  on  me  with  a 
friendly  eye.  The  retired  life  I  now  lead,  is  much  more 
congenial  to  my  feelings,  and  much  more  favorable  to 
religious  enjoyment,  than  when  in  England  and  Ame- 
rica, where  I  was  kept  in  a  continual  bustle  of  company. 
Yes,  it  is  in  retirement  that  our  languishing  graces  are 


110  LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

revived,  our  affections  raised  to  God,  and  our  souls  re- 
freshed and  quickened  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  If  we  would  live  near  the  threshold  of  heaven, 
and  daily  take  a  glance  of  our  promised  inheritance,  we 
must  avoid  not  only  worldly,  but  religious  dissipation. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  do  believe  that  there  is  some- 
thing like  religious  dissipation,  in  a  Christian's  being  so 
entirely  engrossed  in  religious  company,  as  to  prevent 
his  spiritual  enjoyments. 

Another  letter  to  the  same  friend  shows  that  her  health 
was  still  feeble : 

TO   MRS.    CHAPLIN,    OF   WATERVILLE. 

Baltimore,  Feh.  17,  1823., 
My  ever  dear  Mrs.  Chaplin  : 

Your  kind  and  affectionate  letter  found  me  in  bed,  so 
weak  that  I  was  obliged  to  read  it  at  intervals  ;  but  it 
afforded  heartfelt  consolation.  But,  thanks  to  our 
Heavenly  Father,  whose  guardian  care  and  love  I  have 
so  largely  experienced,  I  am  now  much  better,  and  once 
more  enjoy  the  prospect  of  gaining  that  degree  of  health 
which  will  allow  my  return  to  Burmah ;  there  to  pass 
my  remaining  days,  few  or  many,  in  endeavoring  to 
guide  immortal  souls  to  that  dear  Redeemer,  whose  pre- 
sence can  make  joyful  a  sick  chamber,  a  dying  bed. 
For  the  last  month  I  have  been  very  ill.  The  disease 
seemed  to  be  removed  from  the  liver  to  the  lungs.  I 
have  raised  blood  twice,  which  the  physicians  thought 
proceeded  from  the  lungs,  though  I  am  inclined  to  think 
to  the  contrary,  and  believe  it  came  only  from  the  mouth 


LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  ill 

of  some  vessel  in  the  throat.  I  was,  however,  bled  so 
frequently  and  so  largely  that  my  strength  was  quite  re- 
duced. At  present  I  am  free  from  every  unfavorable 
symptom,  but  am  still  weak. 

I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  Mr.  Boardman  has  offered 
himself  to  supply  dear  Colman's  place.  If  actuated 
from  motives  of  love  to  God,  and  concern  for  precious 
souls,  tell  him  he  will  never  regret  the  sacrifice,  but  will 
find  those  spiritual  consolations,  which  will  more  than 
compensate  for  every  privation.  I  shall  rejoice  to  afford 
him  every  assistance  in  the  acquisition  of  the  language 
which  my  health  will  allow,  though  I  fear  he  will  not  be 
ready  to  sail  so  early  as  I  hope  to  embark. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Chaplin,  this  is  the  third  day  I  have 
been  writing  this  letter,  on  account  of  my  weakness. 
But  I  am  gaining  a  little  every  day.  Yesterday  I  had 
a  little  female  prayer  meeting  in  my  chamber — trust  the 
blessed  Saviour  was  near  us.  Oh !  it  is  good  to  get  near 
to  God,  to  enjoy  his  presence,  and  feel,  whether  in  life 
or  death,  we  are  his.  Open  your  mouth  wide,  and  I  will 
fill  it,  is  a  promise,  of  which  we  do  not  think  sufiiciently. 
IIow  much  real  enjoyment  we  lose  by  not  striving  more 
earnestly  to  partake  largely  of  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  I 

Let  us,  my  dear  sister,  so  live,  that  our  union  to 
Christ,  the  vine,  may  not  only  be  satisfactory  to  our- 
selves, but  to  all  around  us.  On  earth  we  serve  God;  in 
heaven,  enjoy  him — is  a  motto  I  have  long  wished  to 
adopt.  When  in  heaven  we  can  do  nothing  towards  sav- 
ing immortal  souls. 


112  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

A  letter  to  her  sister  will  give  the  reader  a  sketch  of 
affairs  in  Burmah  during  her  absence : 

TO   ONE   OF   HER    SISTERS. 

Baltimore,  Feb.  25,  1823. 
My  dear  Sister  : 

From  the  tenor  of  my  last,  I  know  you  will  all  fee 
anxious  to  hear  from  me,  consequently,  I  take  the  ear- 
liest opportunity  to  write  you.  My  health  is  daily  im- 
proving ;  but,  after  being  reduced  so  low  as  I  have  been, 
by  bleeding  from  the  arm,  I  must  expect  to  gain  very 
gradually.  My  liver  complaint  seems  entirely  removed, 
and  were  I  not  so  very  feeble,  I  would  set  off  for  Brad- 
ford to-morrow.  But  I  can  now  ride  only  an  hour  at  a 
time,  and  am  much  fatigued  after  that.  But  God  has 
been  kind,  unspeakably  kind  to  me,  and  enabled  me  to 
cast  all  my  cares  and  concerns  on  him  ;  and  I  have  fre- 
quently been  led  to  say,  it  is  good  for  me  to  be  afflicted. 
There  are  some  spiritual,  heavenly  minded  Christians  in 
this  place,  who  have  often  refreshed  me  by  their  conver- 
sation and  prayers.  A  few  days  ago,  I  had  a  prayer 
meeting  in  my  chamber,  and  I  trust  Christ  was  one  in 
the  midst  of  us.  Dr.  Staughton  sent  me  yesterday  Mr. 
Judson's  journal,  lately  received.  God  is  doing  wonders 
in  Rangoon,  and  building  up  his  little  church  there. 
Five  more  have  been  baptized,  making  eighteen  in  all, 
and  several  others  seriously  inquiring.  Three  females 
have  lately  been  baptized,  who  formerly  attended  my 
Wednesday  meeting.  They  have  set  up,  of  their  own 
accord,  a  female  prayer  meeting.  Is  not  this  encourag- 
ing ?     Dr.  Price  had  received  an   order  froni  the  Em- 


LIFE   OF  ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  113 

peror  to  go  to  Ava,  on  account  of  his  medical  skill;  and 
Mr.  Judson  was  about  to  accompany  him,  in  order  to 
make  another  effort  for  toleration.  You  will  readily  im- 
agine my  anxiety  to  get  back  to  Rangoon.  I  yet  hope 
that  my  health  will  enable  me  to  return  this  spring.  0 
that  God  would  incline  the  heart  of  the  Emperor  to  favor 
the  introduction  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  protect 
the  little  church  formed  there. 

I  hope  to  get  to  Bradford  by  the  last  of  March. 
Brother  E.  will  probably  travel  with  me.  But  I  must 
give  up  all  idea  of  visiting  and  talking,  on  account  of 
the  weakness  of  my  lungs.  I  have  received  a  great 
many  letters  this  winter,  which  have  been  a  great  con- 
solation in  my  retired  situation. 

I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  there  is  a  prospect  of  more 
attention  to  religion  at  Bradford.  God  will  be  inquired 
of  by  his  children,  and  in  answer  to  their  prayers  will 
pour  out  his  Holy  Spirit. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1823  Mrs.  Judson  returned  to 
Massachusetts,  with  her  health  partially  restored,  though 
not  entirely.  Many  of  her  friends  endeavored  to  per- 
suade her  to  remain  in  America  another  year,  but  she 
firmly  resisted  their  entreaties,  being  anxious  to  return 
to  the  scene  of  her  missionary  labors. 

The  Rev.  Jonathan  Wade  and  his  wife  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  missionaries  to  Burmah,  and  it  was 
decided  that  they  should  accompany  Mrs.  Judson.  On 
the  21st  of  June  they  sailed  from  Boston,  arrived  at 
Calcutta,  Oct.  19th,  and  a  few  weeks  later  sailed  for  Ran- 
goon. 
8 


114  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

Dr.  Wayland  speaks  of  Mrs.  Judson  in  the  following 
high  terms : 

"  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  become  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  Mrs.  Judson  during  this  visit  to  the  United 
States.  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  met  a  more  re- 
markable woman.  To  great  clearness  of  intellect,  large 
powers  of  comprehension,  and  intuitive  female  sagacity, 
ripened  by  the  constant  necessity  of  independent  action, 
she  added  that  heroic  disinterestedness  which  naturally 
loses  all  consciousness  of  self  in  the  prosecution  of  a 
great  object.  These  elements,  however,  were  all  held  in 
reserve,  and  were  hidden  from  public  view  by  a  veil  of 
unusual  feminine  delicacy.  To  an  ordinary  observer, 
she  would  have  appeared  simply  a  self-possessed,  well- 
bred,  and  very  intelligent  gentlewoman.  A  more  inti- 
mate acquaintance  would  soon  discover  her  to  be  a  per- 
son of  profound  religious  feeling,  which  w^as  ever  mani- 
festing itself  in  efforts  to  impress  upon  others  the  im- 
portance of  personal  piety.  The  resources  of  her  na- 
ture were  never  unfolded  until  some  occasion  occurred 
wnich  demanded  delicate  tact,  unflinching  courage,  and 
a  power  of  resolute  endurance,  even  unto  death.  When 
I  saw  her,  her  complexion  bore  that  sallow  hue  which 
commonly  follows  residence  in  the  East  Indies.  Her 
countenance  at  first  seemed,  when  in  repose,  deficient  in 
expression.  As  she  found  herself  among  friends  who 
were  interested  in  the  Burman  mission,  her  reserve 
melted  away,  her  eye  kindled,  every  feature  was  lighted 
up  with  enthusiasm,  and  she  was  every  where  acknow- 
ledged to  be  one  of  the  most  fascinating  of  women." 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  115 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MESSRS.  JUDSON    AND    PRICE  VISIT  AVA — RETURN    TO    RAN- 
GOON— MRS.  JUDSON's  arrival — REMOVAL  TO  AVA. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Judson  and  Mr.  Price  had  pro- 
ceeded together  to  Ava.  At  first,  in  their  visits  to  the 
palace,  Mr.  Judson,  acting  merely  as  an  interpreter  for 
his  companion,  was  entirely  unnoticed,  but  after  several 
visits  the  Emperor  addressed  him.  After  questioning 
him  as  to  his  profession,  he  made  the  appalling  enquiry, 
— Had  any  of  his  subjects  embraced  the  Christian  faith? 
Although  he  knew  that  the  ruin  of  his  little  church  was 
risked  in  the  answer,  Mr.  Judson  replied  in  the  affirma- 
tive. No  token  of  displeasure,  however,  was  given,  and 
a  lively  conversation  upon  other  topics  ensued. 

The  princes  and  princesses  were  much  interested  in 
Mr.  Judson,  and  his  visits  to  the  palace,  both  with  Mr. 
Price  and  alone,  were  frequent.     He  writes: 

"I  had  one  noticeable  interview  with  the  king.  Bro- 
ther Price  and  two  English  gentlemen  were  present. 
The  king  appeared  to  be  attracted  by  our  number,  and 
came  towards  us ;  but  his  conversation  was  directed 
chiefly  to  me.  He  again  inquired  about  the  Burmans 
who  had  embraced  my  religion.     '  Are  they  real  Bur- 


.116  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

mans  ?  Do  they  dress  like  other  Burmans  ?'  &c.  I  had 
occasion  to  remark,  that  I  preached  every  Sunday. 
'  What !  in  Bm-man  V  Yes.  '  Let  us  hear  how  you 
preach.'  I  hesitated.  An  Atwenwoon  repeated  *he 
order.  I  began  with  a  form  of  worship,  which  first  as- 
cribes glory  to  God,  and  then  declares  the  commands  of 
the  law  and  the  gospel ;  after  which  I  stopped.  *  Go 
on,'  said  another  Atwenwoon.  The  whole  court  was 
profoundly  silent.  I  proceeded  with  a  few  sentences, 
declarative  of  the  perfections  of  God,  when  his  majesty's 
curiosity  was  satisfied,  and  he  interrupted  me.  In  the 
course  of  subsequent  conversation,  he  asked  what  I  had 
to  say  of  Gaudama.  I  replied  that  we  all  knew  he  was 
son  of  King  Thog-dau-dah-nah ;  that  we  regarded  him 
as  a  wise  man  and  a  great  teacher,  but  did  not  call  him 
God.  '  That  is  right,'  said  Moung  K.  N.,  an  Atwen- 
w*oon  who  had  not  hitherto  appeared  very  friendly  to  me. 
And  he  proceeded  to  relate  the  substance  of  a  long  com- 
munication, which  I  had  lately  made  to  him  in  the  privy 
council  room,  about  God  and  Christ,  &c.  And  this  he 
did,  in  a  very  clear  and  satisfactory  manner,  so  that  I 
had  scarcely  a  single  correction  to  make  in  his  state- 
ment. Moung  Z.,  encouraged  by  all  this,  really  began 
to  take  the  side  of  God  before  his  majesty,  and  said, 
*  Nearly  all  the  world,  your  majesty,  believe  in  an  eternal 
God ;  all,  except  Burmah  and  Siam,  these  little  spots !' 
His  majesty  remained  silent ;  and  after  some  other 
desultory  inquiries,  he  abruptly  arose  and  retired." 

After  trying  in  vain,  for  some  time,  to  procure  a  grant 
to  build  a  zayat  in  Ava,  Mr.  Judson  finally  procured  a 
piece  of  ground.     Having  recovered  from  an  attack  of 


LIFE   OF  ANN  HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  117 

fever  an'd  ague,  and  the  time  having  expired  which  Mr-. 
Judson  purposed  spending  in  Ava,  he  determined  to  re- 
turn to  Rangoon.     In  January  1823,  he  writes : 

"Jan.  22.  Took  leave  of  Prince  M.  He  desired  me 
to  return  soon,  and  bring  with  me  all  the  Christian  Scrip- 
tures, and  translate  them  into  Burman  ;  'for,'  said  he, 
'I  wish  to  read  them  all.' 

"  Jan,  24.  Went  to  take  leave  of  the  king,  in  company 
with  Mr.  L;,  collector  of  the  port  of  Rangoon,  who  ar- 
rived last  evening.  We  sat  a  few  moments  conversing 
together.  *  What  are  you  talking  about  V  said  his  ma- 
jesty. 'He  is  speaking  of  his  return  to  Rangoon,'  re- 
plied Mr.  L.  '  What  does  he  return  for  ?  Let  them 
not  return.  Let  them  both  (that  is  brother  Price  and 
myself)  stay  together.  If  one  goes  away  the  other 
must  remain  alone,  and  will  be  unhappy.'  '  He  wishes 
to  go  for  a  short  time  only,'  replied  Mr.  L.,  '  to  bring 
his  wife,  the  female  teacher,  and  his  goods,  not  having 
brought  anything  w^ith  him  this  time ;  and  he  will  return 
soon.'  His  majesty  looked  at  me,  '  Will  you  then  come 
again  ?'  I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  '  When  you  come 
again  is  it  your  intention  to  remain  permanently,  or  will 
you  go  back  and  forth,  as  foreigners  commonly  do  ?' 
*' When  I  come  again  it  is  my  intention  to  remain  perma- 
nently.' 'Very  well,'  said  his  majesty,  and  withdrew 
into  his  inner  apartment. 

"  Heard  to-day  of  the  death  of  Mah  Myat-la,  sister 
of  Mah-Men-Ia,  one  of  the  most  steadfast  of  the  church 
in  Rangoon. 

"t/an.  25.  Embarked  on  a  small  boat,  intending  to 
go  day  and  night,  and  touch  nowhere,  in  order  to  avoid 


118  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSOI* 

the  robbers,  of  which  we  have  lately  had  alarming  ac- 
counts. 

"  Feb.  2.  Lord' 8-day.  At  one  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
reached  Rangoon,  seven  days  from  Ava. 

"  Several  of  the  disciples  soon  came  over  from  Dahlah, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  whither  they  and  some 
others  of  the  disciples  and  inquirers  have  taken  refuge, 
to  escape  the  heavy  taxations  and  the  illegal  harassments 
of  every  kind  allowed  under  the  new  Viceroy  of  Ran- 
goon. Others  of  the  disciples  have  fled  elsewhere,  so 
that  there  is  not  a  single  one  remaining  in  Rangoon,  ex- 
cept three  or  four  with  us.  The  house  of  some  of  the 
disciples  has  been  demolished,  and  their  place  taken  by 
government,  at  the  instigation  of  their  neighbors,  who 
hate  them  on  account  of  religion.  Mah  Myat-la  died 
before  the  removal.  Her  sister  gave  me  the  particulars 
of  her  death.  Some  of  her  last  expressions  were — '  I 
put  my  trust  in  Jesus  Christ — I  love  to  pray  to  him — 
am  not  afraid  of  death — shall  soon  be  with  Christ  in 
heaven." 

In  the  year  1823,  Mr.  Judson  finished  the  translation 
of  the  New  Testament,  and  upon  Mrs.  Judson's  return 
to  Rangoon,  he  again  proceeded  to  Ava,  leaving  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wade,  and  Mr.  Hough  and  family  at  Rangoon. 

Mrs.  Judson  writes  an  account  of  her  return,  which  I 
here  quote ; 

A.YA,Feh.  10,1824. 
My  dear  Parents  and  Sisters  : 

After  two  years  and  a  half  wandering,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  hear  that  I  have  at  last  arrived  at  home,  so 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  119 

far  as  this  life  is  concerned,  and  am  once  more  quietly 
and  happily  settled  with  Mr.  Judson.  AYhen  I  retrace  the 
scenes  through  which  I  have  passed,  the  immense  space  I 
have  traversed,  and  the  various  dangers,  seen  and  un- 
seen, from  which  I  have  been  preserved,  my  heart  ia 
filled  with  gratitude  and  praise  to  that  Being,  who  has 
at  all  times  been  my  protector,  and  marked  out  all  the 
way  before  me.  Surely  no  one  was  ever  more  highly 
favored,  no  being  was  ever  under  greater  obligations  to 
make  sacrifices  for  the  promotion  of  God's  glory,  than  I 
am  at  this  moment.  And  I  think  I  feel,  more  than  ever, 
the  importance  of  being  spiritual  and  humble,  and  so  to 
cherish  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  in  the 
communication  of  divine  truth,  powerful  impressions  may 
be  made,  and  that  I  may  no  more  wander  from  Him  who 
is  deserving  of  all  my  services  and  aff*ections. 

I  wrote  from  Rangoon,  but  for  fear  my  letters  should 
not  have  arrived,  I  will  mention  a  few  things  therein 
contained.  We  had  a  quick  and  pleasant  passage  from 
Calcutta  to  Rangoon.  Mr.  J.'s  boat  was  all  in  readiness, 
my  baggage  was  immediately  taken  from  the  ship  to  the 
boat,  and  in  seven  days  from  my  arrival,  we  were  on  our 
way  to  the  capital.  Our  boat  was  small  and  inconvenient ; 
but  the  current  at  this  season  is  so  very  strong,  and  the 
wind  always  against  us,  that  our  progress  was  slow,  in- 
deed. The  season,  however,  was  cool  and  delightful ; 
we  were  preserved  from  dangers  by  day  and  robbers  by 
night,  and  arrived  in  safety  in  six  weeks.  The  A-rah- 
wah-tee  (Irrawaddy)  is  a  noble  river;  its  banks  every- 
where covered  with  immortal  beings,  destined  to  the 
same  eternity  as  ourselves.     We  often  walked  through 


120  LIfE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  villages;  and,  though  we  never  received  the  least  in- 
sult, always  attracted  universal  attention.  A  foreign 
female  was  a  sight  never  before  beheld,  and  all  were 
anxious  that  their  friends  and  relatives  should  have  a 
view.  Crowds  followed  us  through  the  villages,  and 
some  who  were  less  civilized  than  others,  would  run  some 
way  before  us,  in  order  to  have  a  long  look  as  we  ap- 
proached them.  In  one  instance,  the  boat  being  some- 
time in  doubling  a  point  we  had  walked  over,  we  seated 
ourselves  down,  when  the  villagers,  as  usual,  assembled, 
and  Mr.  Judson  introduced  the  subject  of  religion. 
Several  old  men  who  were  present  entered  into  conver- 
sation, while  the  multitude  was  all  attention.  The  ap- 
parent school-master  of  the  village  coming  up,  Mr.  Jud- 
son handed  him  a  tract,  and  requested  him  to  read. 
After  proceeding  some  way,  he  remarked  to  the  assem- 
bly, that  such  a  writing  was  worthy  of  being  copied,  and 
asked  Mr.  Judson  to  remain  while  he  copied  it.  Mr. 
Judson  informed  him  he  might  keep  the  tract,  on  condi- 
tion he  read  it  to  all  his  neighbors.  We  could  not  but 
hope  the  Spirit  of  God  would  bless  those  few  simple 
truths  to  the  salvation  of  some  of  their  souls. 

Our  boat  was  near  being  upset  in  passing  through  one 
of  the  rapids,  with  which  this  river  abounds.  The  rud- 
der became  entangled  in  the  rocks,  which  brought  the 
boat  across  the  stream,  and  laid  her  on  one  side.  The 
steersman,  howev^er,  had  presence  of  mind  sufficient  to 
cut  the  rudder  from  the  boat,  which  caused  her  to  right, 
without  experiencing  any  other  inconvenience  than  a  thor- 
ough fright,  and  the  loss  of  our  breakfast,  which  was  pre- 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  121 

cipitated  from  the  fireplace  into  the  water,  together  with 
everything  on  the  outside  of  the  boat. 

On  our  arrival  at  Ava,  we  had  more  difficulties  to  en- 
counter, and  such  as  we  had  never  before  experienced.  We 
had  no  home,  no  house  to  shelter  us  from  the  burning 
sun  by  day,  and  the  cold  dews  at  night.  Dr.  Price  had 
kindly  met  us  on  the  way,  and  urged  our  taking  up  our 
residence  with  him ;  but  his  house  was  in  such  an  un 
finished  state,  and  the  walls  so  damp,  (of  brick,  and  just 
built,)  that  spending  two  or  three  hours  threw  me  into  a 
fever,  and  induced  me  to  feel  that  it  would  be  presump- 
tion to  remain  longer.  We  had  but  one  alternative,  to 
remain  in  the  boat  till  we  could  build  a  small  house  on 
the  spot  of  ground  which  the  King  gave  Mr.  Judson  last 
year.  And  you  will  hardly  believe  it  possible,  for  I  al- 
most doubt  my  senses,  that  in  just  a  fortnight  from  our 
arrival,  we  moved  into  a  house  built  in  that  time,  and 
which  is  sufficiently  large  to  make  us  comfortable.  It  is 
in  a  most  delightful  situation,  out  of  the  dust  of  the  town, 
and  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  The  spot  of  ground 
given  by  his  Majesty  is  small,  being  only  120  feet  long, 
and  75  wide :  but  it  is  our  own,  and  is  the  most  healthy 
situation  I  have  seen.  Our  house  is  raised  four  feet  from 
the  ground,  and  consists  of  three  small  rooms  and  a  ver- 
andah. 

I  hardly  know  how  we  shall  bear  the  hot  season,  which 
is  just  commencing,  as  our  house  is  built  of  boards,  and 
before  night,  is  heated  like  an  oven.  Nothing  but  brick  is 
a  shelter  from  the  heat  of  Ava,  where  the  thermometer, 
even  in  the  shade,  frequently  rises  to  a  hundred  and  eight 
degrees.     We  have  worship  every  evening  in  Burman, 


122  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

when  a  number  of  the  natives  assemble;  and  every  Sab- 
bath Mr.  Judson  preaches  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  in 
Dr.  Price's  house.  We  feel  it  an  inestimable  privilege, 
that  amid  all  our  discouragaments  we  have  the  language, 
and  are  able  constantly  to  communicate  truths  which  can 
save  the  soul. 

■  My  female  school  has  already  commenced  with  three 
little  girls,  who  are  learning  to  read,  sew,  &c.  Two  of 
them  are  sisters,  and  we  have  named  them  Mary  and 
Ahhy  Sasseltine.  One  of  them  is  to  be  supported  with 
the  money  which  the  "  Judson  Association  of  Bradford 
Academy"  have  engaged  to  collect.  They  are  fine  chil- 
dren, and  improve  as  rapidly  as  any  children  in  the  world. 
Their  mother  is  deranged,  and  their  father  gave  them  to  me 
to  educate,  so  that  I  have  been  at  no  expense  for  them  ex- 
cepting their  food  and  clothes.  I  have  already  begun  to 
make  inquiries  for  children,  and  doubt  not  we  shall  be 
directed  in  regard  to  our  school. 

I  have  not  yet  been  at  the  palace,  the  royal  family  all 
being  absent.  They  returned  to  Amarapora  a  day  or 
two  after  our  arrival,  where  they  will  remain  till  the 
new  palace  in  this  city  is  finished,  when  they  will  take 
possession  in  the  usual  form,  and  Ava  in  future  will  be 
their  residence.  My  old  friend,  the  lady  of  the  Viceroy 
of  Rangoon,  who  died  in  my  absence,  came  to  the  boat  to 
see  me  immediately  on  being  informed  of  my  arrival.  All 
her  power  and  distinction  ceased  at  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band, and  she  is  now  only  a  private  woman.  She  is, 
however,  a  very  sensible  woman,  and  there  is  much  more 
hope  of  her  attending  to  the  subject  of  religion  now  than 
when  in  public  life.     I  intend  to  visit  her  frequently,  and 


LITE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  123 

make  it  an  object  to  fix  her  attention  to  the  subject. 
In  consequence  of  war  with  the  Bengal  government, 
foreigners  are  not  so  much  esteemed  at  court  as  formerly. 
I  know  not  what  efiect  this  war  will  have  on  our  mission  ; 
but  we  must  leave  the  event  with  Him  who  has  hitherto 
directed  us. 


I;J4  LIFE   OF  ANN  HASSELTINE  JUDSOJI. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

WAR  IN  BURMAH  —  MRS.  JUDSON's  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MIS- 
SIONARIES' SUFFERINGS — TRIBUTE  TO  MRS.  JUDSON  FROM 
PRISONERS. 

War  having  broken  out  in  1824,  between  England 
and  Burmah,  scenes  of  unparalleled  horror  were  opened 
before  the  missionaries.  I  make  no  apology  for  quoting 
entire,  the  account  given  by  Mrs.  Judson  herself,  of  the 
sufferings  and  trials  through  which  she  and  her  husband 
passed,  as  any  other  language  would  inevitably  be  weak 
in  comparison  with  hers. 

Rangoon,  May  2Qth,  1826. 
My  beloved  Brother  : — 

I  commence  this  letter  with  the  intention  of  giving 
you  the  particulars  of  our  captivity  and  sufferings  at 
Ava.  How  long  my  patience  will  allow  my  reviewing 
scenes  of  disgust  and  horror,  the  conclusion  of  this  let- 
ter will  determine.  I  had  kept  a  journal  of  everything 
that  had  transpired  from  our  arrival  at  Ava,  but  destroyed 
it  at  the  commencement  of  our  difficulties. 

The  first  certain  intelligence  we  received  of  the  decla- 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  125 

ration  of  war  by  the  Burmese,  was  on  our  arrival  at 
Tsen-pyoo-kywon,  about  a  hundred  miles  this  side  of 
Ava,  where  part  of  the  troops,  under  the  command  of  the 
celebrated  Bandoola,  had  encamped.  As  we  proceeded 
on  our  journey,  we  met  Bandoola  himself,  with  the  re- 
mainder of  his  troops,  gaily  equipped,  seated  on  his 
golden  barge,  and  surrounded  by  a  fleet  of  golden  war 
boats,  one  of  which  was  instantly  despatched  the  other 
side  of  the  river  to  hail  us,  and  make  all  necessary  in- 
quiries. We  were  allowed  to  pass  quietly  on,  when  we 
had  informed  the  messenger  that  we  were  Americans,  not 
English^  and  were  going  to  Ava  in  obedience  to  the  com- 
mand of  his  majesty. 

On  our  arrival  at  the  capital,  we  found  that  Dr.  Price 
was  out  of  favor  at  court,  and  that  suspicion  rested  on 
most  of  the  foreigners  then  at  Ava.  Your  brother 
visited  at  the  palace  two  or  three  times,  but  found  the 
king's  manner  toward  him  very  different  from  what  it  for- 
merly had  been ;  and  the  queen,  who  had  hitherto  expressed 
wishes  for  my  speedy  arrival,  now  made  no  inquiries 
after  me,  nor  intimated  a  wish  to  see  me.  Consequently, 
I  made  no  effort  to  visit  at  the  palace,  though  almost 
daily  invited  to  visit  some  of  the  branches  of  the  royal 
family,  who  were  living  in  their  own  houses,  out  of  the 
palace  enclosure.  Under  these  circumstances,  we  thought 
our  most  prudent  course  lay  in  prosecuting  our  original 
intention  of  building  a  house,  and  commencing  missionary 
operations  as  occasions  offered,  thus  endeavoring  to  con- 
vince the  government  that  we  had  really  nothing  to  do 
with  the  present  war. 

In   two   or  three  weeks   after   our   arrival,  the   king, 


126  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTlNE   JUDSON. 

queen,  all  the  members  of  the  royal  family,  and  most 
of  the  officers  of  government,  retm^ned  to  Araarapora, 
in  order  to  *ome  and  take  possession  of  the  new  palace 
in  the  customary  style.  As  there  has  been  much  mis- 
understanding relative  to  Ava  and  Artiarapora,  both 
being  called  the  capital  of  the  Burmese  empire,  I  will 
here  remark,  that  present  Ava  was  formerly  the  seat  of 
government ;  but  soon  after  the  old  king  ascended  the 
the  throne,  it  was  forsaken,  and  a  new  palace  built  at 
Amarapora,  about  six  miles  from  Ava,  in  which  he  re- 
mained during  his  life.  In  the  fourth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  present  king,  Amarapora  was  in  its  turn  forsaken, 
and  a  new  and  beautiful  palace  built  at  Ava,  which  was 
then  in  ruins,  but  is  now  the  capital  of  the  Burmese  em- 
pire. The  king  and  royal  family  had  been  living  in 
temporary  buildings  at  Ava,  during  the  completion  of  the 
new  palace,  which  gave  occasion  for  their  returning  to 
Amarapora. 

I  dare  not  attempt  a  description  of  that  splendid  day, 
when  majesty,  with  all  its  attendant  glory,  entered  the 
gates  of  the  golden  city,  and  amid  the  acclamations  of 
millions,  I  may  say,  took  possession  of  the  palace.  The 
saupwars  of  the  provinces  bordering  on  China,  all  the 
viceroys  and  high  officers  of  the  kingdom,  were  assem- 
bled on  the  occasion,  dressed  in  their  robes  of  state,  and 
ornamented  with  the  insignia  of  their  office.  The  white 
elephant,  richly  adorned  with  gold  and  jewels,  was  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  objects  in  the  procession.  The 
king  and  queen  alone  were  unadorned,  dressed  in  the 
simple  garb  of  the  country ;  they,  hand  in  hand,  entered 
the  garden  in  which  we  had  taken  our  seats,  and  where 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  127 

a  banquet  was  prepared  for  their  refreshment.  All  the 
riches  and  glory  of  the  empire  -were  on  this  day  exhib- 
ited to  view.  The  number  and  immense  size  of  the 
elephants,  the  numerous  horses,  and  great  variety  of 
vehicles  of  all  descriptions,  far  surpassed  anything  I 
have  ever  seen  or  imagined.  Soon  after  his  majesty  had 
taken  possession  of  the  new  palace,  an  order  was  issued 
that  no  foreigner  should  be  allowed  to  enter,  excepting 
Lansago.  We  were  a  little  alarmed  at  this,  but  concluded 
it  was  from  political  motives,  and  would  not,  perhaps  es- 
sentially affect  us. 

For  several  weeks,  nothing  took  place  to  alarm  ut,  and 
we  went  on  with  our  school.  Mr.  J.  preached  overy 
Sabbath,  all  the  materials  for  building  a  brick  house  were 
procured,  and  the  masons  had  made  considerable  progress 
in  raising  the  building. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1824,  just  as  we  had  concluded 
worship  at  the  doctor's  house,  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
a  messenger  came  to  inform  us  that  Rangoon  was  taken 
by  the  English.  The  intelligence  produced  a  shock,  in 
which  was  a  mixture  of  fear  and  joy.  Mr.  Gouger,  a 
young  merchant  residing  at  Ava,  was  then  with  us,  and 
had  much  more  reason  to  fear  than  the  rest  of  us.  We 
all,  however,  immediately  returned  to  our  house,  and 
began  to  consider  what  was  to  be  done.  Mr.  G.  went  to 
Prince  Thar-yar-wa-dee,  the  king's  most  influential  bro- 
ther, who  informed  him  he  need  not  give  himself  any 
uneasiness,  as  he  had  mentioned  the  subject  to  his  majesty, 
who  replied,  that  "  the  few  foreigners  residing  at  Ava, 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  war,  and  should  not  be  mo- 
lested." 


128  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

The  government  were  now  all  in  motion.  An  army 
of  ten  or  twelve  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of 
the  Kyee-woon-gyee,  were  sent  off  in  three  or  four  days, 
and  were  to  be  joined  by  the  Sakyah-voon-gyee,  who  had 
previously  been  appointed  Viceroy  of  Rangoon,  and  who 
was  on  his  way  thither,  when  the  news  of  its  attack 
reached  him.  No  doubt  was  entertained  of  the  defeat 
of  the  English ;  the  only  fear  of  the  king  was,  that  the 
foreigners,  hearing  of  the  advance  of  the  Burmese  troops, 
would  be  so  alarmed  as  to  flee  on  board  their  ships,  and 
depart  before  there  would  be  time  to  secure  them  as 
slaves.  *'  Bring  for  me,"  said  a  wild  young  buck  of  the 
palace,  "  six  kala  pyoo,  (white  strangers,)  to  row  my 
boat."  "And  to  me,"  said  the  lady  of  a  Woon-gyee, 
"  send  four  white  strangers  to  manage  the  affairs  of  my 
house,  as  I  understand  they  are  trusty  servants."  The 
war  boats,  in  high  glee,  passed  our  house,  the  soldiers 
singing  and  dancing,  and  exhibiting  gestures  of  the  most 
joyous  kind.  Poor  fellows !  said  we,  you  will  probably 
never  dance  again.  And  it  so  proved,  for  few,  if  any, 
ever  saw  again  their  native  home. 

As  soon  as  the  army  were  dispatched,  the  government 
began  to  inquire  the  cause  of  the  arrival  of  the  strangers 
at  Rangoon.  There  must  be  spies  in  the  country,  sug- 
gested some,  who  have  invited  them  over.  And  who  so 
likely  to  be  spies,  as  the  Englishmen  residing  at  Ava  ? 
A  report  was  in  circulation,  that  Captain  Laird,  lately 
arrived,  had  brought  Bengal  papers  which  contained  the 
intention  of  the  English  to  take  Rangoon,  and  it  was  kept 
a  secret  from  his  Majesty.  An  inquiry  was  instituted. 
The  three  Englishmen,  Gouger,  Laird,  and  Rogers,  were 


LllE   OF   ANN    EaSSElTIIvE   JUDSON.  129 

called  and  examined.  It  was  found  they  had  seen  the 
papers,  and  were  put  in  confinement,  though  not  in  prison. 
We  now  began  to  tremble  for  ourselves,  and  were  in 
daily  expectation  of  some  dreadful  event. 

At  length  Mr.  Judson  and  Dr.  Price  were  summoned 
"0  a  court  of  examination,  where  strict  inquiry  was  made 
relative  to  all  they  knew.  The  great  point  seemed  to  be, 
whether  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of  making  communi- 
cations to  foreigners,  of  the  state  of  the  country,  &c. 
They  answered,  they  had  always  written  to  their  friends 
in  America,  but  had  no  correspondence  with  English  offi- 
cers, or  the  Bengal  government.  After  their  examination, 
they  were  not  put  in  confinement  as  the  Englishmen  had 
been,  but  were  allowed  to  return  to  their  houses.  In  ex- 
amining the  accounts  of  Mr.  G.,  it  was  found  that  Mr.  J. 
and  Dr.  Price  had  taken  money  of  him  to  a  considerable 
amount.  Ignorant  as  were  the  Burmese  of  our  mode 
of  receiving  money  by  orders  on  Bengal,  this  circum- 
stance, to  their  suspicious  minds,  was  a  sufficient  evidence, 
that  the  Missionaries  were  in  the  pay  of  the  English,  and 
very  probably  spies.  It  was  thus  represented  to  the 
king,  who,  in  an  angry  tone,  ordered  the  immediate  arrest 
of  the  "  two  teachers." 

On  the  8th  of  June,  just  as  we  were  preparing  for 

dinner,  in  rushed  an  officer,  holding  a  black  book,  with 

a  dozen   Burmans,  accompanied  by  one,  whom  from  his 

spotted  face,  we  knew  to  bean  executioner,  and  a  "  son  of 

the    prison."     "Where  is  the    teacher?"  was  the  first 

inquiry.     Mr.    Judson    presented   himself.     "You    are 

called  by  the  king,"  said  the  officer  ;  a  form  of  speech 

always    used   when   about   to   arrest   a   criminal.     The 
9 


loO  LIFE   OF   ANN    HASSELTINB   JUDSON. 

spotted  man  instantly  seized  Mr.  Judson,  threw  him  on 
the  floor,  and  produced  the  small  cord,  the  instrument 
of  torture.  I  caught  hold  of  his  arm.  "  Stay,  (said  I,) 
I  will  give  you  money."  "  Take  her  too,"  said  the  officer; 
"she  also  is  a  foreigner."  Mr.  Judson,  with  an  imploring 
look,  begged  they  would  let  me  remain  till  further  orders. 
The  scene  was  now  shocking  beyond  description.  The 
whole  neighborhood  had  collected — the  masons  at  work 
on  the  brick  house  threw  down  their  tools,  and  ran — the 
little  l^urman  children  were  screaming  and  crying — the 
Bengalee  servants  stood  in  amazement  at  the  indignities 
offered  their  master — and  the  hardened  executioner,  with 
a  kind  of  hellish  joy,  drew  tight  the  cords,  bound  Mr. 
Judson  fast,  and  dragged  him  ofi"  I  knew  not  whither. 
In  vain  I  begged  and  entreated  the  spotted  face  to  take 
the  silver,  and  loosen  the  ropes  ;  but  he  spurned  my  offers, 
and  immediately  departed.  I  gave  the  money,  however, 
to  Moung  Ing  to  follow  after,  to  make  some  further  at- 
tempt to  mitigate  the  torture  of  Mr.  Judson  ;  but  instead 
of  succeeding,  w^hen  a  few  rods  from  the  house,  the  un- 
feeling wretches  again  threw  their  prisoner  on  the  ground, 
and  drew  the  cords  still  tighter,  so  as  almost  to  prevent 
respiration. 

The  officer  and  his  gang  proceeded  on  to  the  court- 
house, where  the  Governor  of  the  city  and  officers  were 
collected,  one  of  whom  read  the  order  of  the  king,  to 
commit  Mr.  Judson  to  the  death  prison,  into  which  he 
was  soon  hurled,  the  door  closed — and  Moung  Ing 
saw  no  more.  What  a  night  was  now  before  me ! 
I  retired  into  my  room,  and  endeavored  to  obtain  conso- 
lation from  committing  my  case  to  God,  and  imploring 


LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTIXE   JUDSON.  181 

fortitude  and  strength  to  suffer  whatever  awaited  me. 
But  the  consolation  of  retirement  was  not  allowed  me, 
for  the  magistrate  of  the  place  had  come  into  the  veran- 
dah, and  continually  called  me  to  come  out,  and  submit 
to  his  examination.  But  previously  to  going  out,  I  de- 
stroyed all  my  letters,  journals,  and  writings  of  every 
kind,  lest  they  should  disclose  the  fact  that  we  had  cor- 
respondents in  England,  and  had  minuted  down  every  oc- 
currence since  our  arrival  in  the  country.  When  thia 
work  of  destruction  was  finished,  I  went  out  and  sub- 
mitted to  the  examination  of  the  magistrate,  who  in- 
quired very  minutely  of  everything  I  knew;  then  ordered 
the  gates  of  the  compound  to  be  shut,  no  person  to  be 
allowed  to  go  in  or  out,  placed  a  guard  of  ten  ruffians, 
to  whom  he  gave  a  strict  charge  to  keep  me  safe,  and 
departed. 

.It  was  now  dark.  I  retired  to  an  inner  room  with  my 
four  little  Burman  girls,  and  barred  the  doors.  The 
guard  instantly  ordered  me  to  unbar  the  doors  and  come 
out,  or  they  would  break  the  house  down.  I  obstinately 
refused  to  obey,  and  endeavored  to  intimidate  them  by 
threatening  to  complain  of  their  conduct  to  higher  au- 
thorities on  the  morrow.  Finding  me  resolved  in  disre- 
garding their  orders,  they  took  the  two  Bengalee  serv- 
ants, and  confined  them  in  the  stocks  in  a  very  painful 
position.  I  could  not  endure  this;  but  called  the  head 
man  to  the  window,  and  promised  to  make  them  all  a 
present  in  the  morning,  if  they  would  release  the  serv- 
ants. After  much  debate,  and  many  severe  threatenings, 
they  consented,  but  seemed  resolved  to  annoy  me  as 
much  as  possible.     My  unprotected^  desolate  state,  ray 


132  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

sntire  uncertainty  of  the  fate  of  Mr.  Judson,  and  tho 
dreadful  carousings  and  almost  diabolical  language  of  the 
guard,  all  conspired  to  make  it  by  far  the  most  distress- 
ing night  I  had  ever  passed.  You  may  well  imagine,  my 
dear  brother,  that  sleep  was  a  stranger  to  my  eyes,  and 
peace  and  composure  to  my  mind. 

The  next  morning  I  sent  Moung  Ing  to  ascertain  the 
situation  of  your  brother,  and  give  him  food,  if  still  liv- 
ing. He  soon  returned  with  the  intelligence  that  Mr. 
Judson,  and  all  the  white  foreigners,  were  confined  in 
the  death  prison,  with  three  pairs  of  iron  fetters  each, 
and  fastened  to  a  long  pole,  to  prevent  their  moving ! 
The  point  of  my  anguish  now  was  that  I  was  a  prisoner 
myself,  and  could  make  no  efforts  for  the  release  of  the 
missionaries.  I  begged  and  entreated  the  magistrate  to 
allow  me  to  go  to  some  member  of  government  to  state 
my  case;  but  he  said  he  did  not  dare  to  consent  for  fear 
I  should  make  my  escape.  I  next  wrote  a  note  to  one 
of  the  king's  sisters,  wdth  whom  I  had  been  intimate,  re- 
questing her  to  use  her  influence  for  the  release  of  the 
teachers.  The  note  was  returned  with  this  message-^— 
she  "  did  not  understand  it," — which  was  a  polite  refusal 
to  interfere;  though  I  afterwards  ascertained  that  she 
had  an  anxious  desire  to  assist  us,  but  dared  not  on  ac- 
count of  the  queen.  The  day  dragged  heavily  away, 
and  another  dreadful  night  was  before  me.  I  endeav- 
ored to  soften  the  feelings  of  the  guard  by  giving  them 
tea  and  cigars  for  the  night ;  so  that  they  allowed  me  to 
remain  inside  of  my  room,  without  threatening  as  they  did 
the  night  before.  But  the  idea  of  your  brother  being 
Btretched  on  the   bare  floor  in  irons  and  confinement, 


LIFE    Of   AXN   HASSELTIXE   JUDSON.  133 

haunted  my  mind  like  a  spectre,  and  prevented  my  ob- 
taining any  quiet  sleep,  though  nature  was  almost  ex- 
hausted. 

On  the  third  day  I  sent  a  message  to  the  governor  of 
the  city,  who  has  the  entire  direction  of  prison  affairs, 
to  allow  me  to  visit  him  with  a  present.  This  had  the 
desired  effect ;  and  he  immediately  sent  orders  to  the 
guards  to  permit  my  going  into  town.  The  governor 
received  me  pleasantly,  and  asked  me  what  I  wanted. 
I  stated  to  him  the  situation  of  the  foreigners,  and  par- 
ticularly that  of  the  teachers,  who  were  Americans,  and 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  war.  He  told  me  it  was  not 
in  his  power  to  release  them  from  prison  or  irons,  but 
that  he  could  make  their  situation  more  comfortable; 
there  was  his  head  officer,  with  whom  I  must  consult, 
relative  to  the  means.  The  officer,  who  proved  to  be  one 
of  the  city  writers,  and  whose  countenance  at  the  first 
glance  presented  the  most  perfect  assemblage  of  all  the 
evil  passions  attached  to  human  nature,  took  me  aside, 
and  endeavored  to  convince  me  that  myself,  as  well  as 
the  prisoners,  was  entirely  at  his  disposal — that  our  fu- 
ture comfort  must  depend  on  my  liberality  in  regard  to 
presents — and  that  these  must  be  made  in  a  private  way, 
and  unkno^vn  to  any  officer  in  the  government !  "What 
must  I  do,  said  I,  to  obtain  a  mitigation  of  the  present 
sufferings  of  the  two  teachers?  ''Pay  to  me,"  said  he, 
"  two  hundred  tickals,  (about  a  hundred  dollars,)  two 
pieces  of  fine  cloth,  and  two  pieces  of  handkerchiefs."  I 
had  taken  money  with  me  in  the  morning,  our  house 
being  two  miles  from  the  prison — I  could  not  easily  re- 
turn.    This  I  offered  to  the  writer,  and  begged  he  would 


134  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

not  insist  on  the  other  articles,  as  they  were  not  in  my 
possession.  He  hesitated  for  some  time,  but  fearing  to 
lose  the  sight  of  so  much  money,  he  concluded  to  take 
it,  promising  to  relieve  the  teachers  from  their  most  pain- 
ful situation. 

I  then  procured  an  order  from  the  governor,  for  my 
admittance  into  prison  ;  but  the  sensations  produced  by 
meeting  your  brother  in  that  wretched,  horrid  situation, 
and  the  affecting  scene  which  ensued,  I  will  not  attempt 
to  describe.  Mr.  Judson  crawled  to  the  door  of  the 
prison — for  I  was  never  allowed  to  enter — gave  me  some 
directions  relative  to  his  release ;  but,  before  we  could 
make  any  arrangement,  I  was  ordered  to  depart  by  those 
iron-hearted  jailors,  who  could  not  endure  to  see  us  en- 
joy the  poor  consolation  of  meeting  in  that  miserable 
place.  In  vain  I  pleaded  the  order  from  the  governor 
for  my  admittance ;  they  again  repeated,  "  Depart,  or 
we  will  pull  you  out."  The  same  evening  the  missiona- 
ries, together  with  the  oUier  foreigners,  who  paid  an  equal 
sum,  were  taken  out  of  the  common  prison  and  confined 
in  an  open  shed  in  the  prison  enclosure.  Here  I  was 
allowed  to  send  them  food,  and  mats  to  sleep  on  ;  but 
was  not  permitted  to  enter  again  for  several  days. 

My  next  object  was  to  get  a  petition  presented  to  the 
queen ;  but  no  person  being  admitted  into  the  palace, 
who  was  in  disgrace  with  his  majesty,  I  sought  to  present 
it  through  the  medium  of  her  brother's  wife.  I  had 
visited  her  in  better  days,  and  received  particular  marks 
of  her  favor.  But  now  times  were  altered  :  Mr.  Judson 
was  in  prison,  and  I  in  distress,  which  was  a  sufficient 
reason  for  giving  me  a  cold  reception.     I  took  a  present 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  135 

of  considerable  value.  She  was  lolling  on  her  carpet  as 
I  entered,  with  her  attendants  around  her.  I  waited 
not  fjY  the  usual  question  to  a  suppliant,  "  What  do  you 
want?"  but  in  a  bold,  earnest,  yet  respectful  manner, 
stated  our  distressess  and  our  wrongs,  and  begged  her 
assistance.  She  partly  raised  her  head,  opened  the  pre- 
sent I  had  brought,  and  coolly  replied,  "Your  case  is 
not  singular ;  all  the  foreigners  are  treated  alike  " 
*'But  it  is  singular,"  said  I,  "the  teachers  are  Ameri- 
cans ;  they  are  ministers  of  religion,  have  nothing  to  do 
with  war  or  politics,  and  came  to  Ava  in  obedience  to 
the  king's  command.  They  have  never  done  anything 
to  deserve  such  treatment ;  and  is  it  right  they  should 
be  treated  thus  ?"  "  The  king  does  as  he  pleases,"  said 
she,  "I  am  not  the  king,  what  can  I  do?"  "You  can 
state  their  case  to  the  queen,  and  obtain  their  release," 
replied  I.  "  Place  yourself  in  my  situation, — were  you 
in  America,  your  husband,  innocent  of  crime,  thrown 
into  prison,  in  irons,  and  you  a  solitary,  unprotected  fe- 
male— what  would  you  do?"  With  a  slight  degree  of 
feeling,  she  said,  "I  will  present  your  petition, — come 
again  to-morrow."  I  returned  to  the  house  with  consid- 
erable hope  that  the  speedy  release  of  the  missionaries 
was  at  hand.  But  the  next  day  Mr.  Gouger's  property, 
to  the  amount  of  fifty  thousand  rupees,  was  taken  and 
carried  to  the  palace.  The  officers,  on  their  return,  po- 
litely informed  me  they  should  visit  our  house  on  the 
morrow.  I  felt  obliged  for  this  information,  and  accord- 
ingly made  preparations  to  receive  them  by  secreting  as 
many  little  articles  as  possible;  together  with  considera- 
ble silver,  as  I  knew  if  the  war  should  be  protracted,  we 


136  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

should  be  in  a  state  of  starvation  without  it.  But 
my  mind  was  in  a  dreadful  state  of  agitation  lest  it 
should  be  discovered  and  cause  my  being  thrown  into 
prison.  And  had  it  been  possible  to  procure  money  from 
any  other  quarter  I  should  not  have  ventured  on  such  a 
step. 

The  next  morning,  the  royal  treasurer,  the  governor 
of  the  north  gate  of  the  palace,  who  was  in  future  our 
steady  friend,  and  another  nobleman,  attended  by  forty 
or  fifty  followers,  came  to  take  possession  of  all  we  had. 
I  treated  them  civilly,  gave  them  chairs  to  sit  on,  tea 
and  sweetmeats  for  their  refreshment ;  and  justice  obliges 
me  to  say  that  they  conducted  the  business  of  confisca- 
tion with  more  regard  to  my  feelings  than  I  should  have 
thought  it  possible  for  Burmese  officers  to  exhibit.  The 
three  officers,  with  one  of  the  royal  secretaries,  alone  en- 
tered the  house  ;  their  attendants  were  ordered  to  remain 
outside.  They  saw  I  was  deeply  affected,  and  apolo- 
gized for  what  they  were  about  to  do,  by  saying  that  it 
was  painful  for  them  to  take  possession  of  property  not 
their  own,  but  they  were  compelled  thus  to  do  by  order 
of  the  king.  "  Where  is  your  silver,  gold,  and  jewels?'* 
said  the  royal  treasurer.  "  I  have  no  gold  or  jewels ; 
but  here  is  the  key  of  a  trunk  which  contains  the  silver 
— do  with  it  as  you  please."  The  trunk  was  produced, 
and  the  silver  weighed.  "This  money,"  said  I,  "was 
collected  in  America,  by  the  disciples  of  Christ,  and  sent 
here  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  kyoung,  (the  name  of 
a  priest's  dwelling)  and  for  our  support,  while  teaching 
the  religion  of  Christ.  Is  it  suitable  that  you  should 
take  it?"     (The  Burmans  are  averse  to  taking  what  is 


LIFE    OF    AXN    HAS3ELTIXE    JUDSOF.  13T 

offered  in  a  religious  point  of  view,  "which  was  the  cause 
of  my  making  the  inquiry.)  "  We  will  state  this  cir- 
cumstance to  the  king,"  said  onae  of  them,  ''  and  perhaps 
he  will  restore  it.  But  is  this  all  the  silver  you  have  V 
I  could  not  tell  a  falsehood :  "  The  house  is  in  your  pos- 
session," I  replied,  "search  for  yourselves."  "Have 
you  not  deposited  silver  with  some  person  of  your  ac- 
quaintance?" "My  acquaintances  are  all  in  prison, 
with  whom  should  I  deposit  silver  ?"  They  next  or- 
dered my  trunk  and  drawers  to  be  examined.  The  sec- 
retary only  was  allowed  to  accompany  me  in  this  search. 
Everything  nice  or  curious,  which  met  his  view,  was  pre- 
sented to  the  officers,  for  their  decision,  whether  it  should 
be  taken  or  retained.  I  begged  they  would  not  take  our 
wearing  apparel,  as  it  would  be  disgraceful  to  take 
clothes  partly  worn,  into  the  possession  of  his  majesty, 
and  to  us  they  were  of  unspeakable  value.  They  as- 
sented, and  took  a  list  only,  and  did  the  same  with  the 
books,  medicines,  &c.  My  little  work  table  and  rocking 
chair,  presents  from  my  beloved  brother,  I  rescued  from 
their  grasp,  partly  by  artifice,  and  partly  through  their 
ignorance.  They  left,  also,  many  articles,  which  were 
of  inestimable  value  during  our  long  imprisonment. 

As  soon  as  they  had  finished  their  search,  and  departed, 
I  hastened  to  the  queen's  brother  to  hear  what  had  been 
the  fate  of  my  petition,  when,  alas  !  all  my  hopes  were 
dashed  by  his  wife  coolly  saying,  "  I  stated  your  case  to 
the  queen,  but  her  majesty  replied.  The  teachers  ivill  not 
die  ;  let  them  remain  as  they  are.''  My  expectations  had 
been  so  much  excited,  that  this  sentence  was  like  a  thun- 
der-clap to   my  feelings.     For  the  truth   at  one   glanae 


138  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTIXE   JUDSON. 

assured  me  that  if  the  queen  refused  assistance,  who 
would  dare  to  intercede  for  me  ?  With  a  heavy  heart  I 
departed,  and  on  my  way  home,  attempted  to  enter  the 
prison  gate  to  communicate  the  sad  tidings  to  your  bro- 
ther, but  was  harshly  refused  admittance ;  and  for  the 
ten  days  following,  notwithstanding  my  daily  efforts,  I 
was  not  allowed  to  enter.  We  attempted  to  communicate 
by  writing,  and  after  being  successful  for  a  few  days,  it 
was  discovered ;  the  poor  fellow  who  carried  the  commu- 
nications was  beaten  and  put  in  the  stocks,  and  the  cir- 
cumstance cost  me  about  ten  dollars,  besides  two  or  three 
days  of  agony,  for  fear  of  the  consequences. 

The  officers  who  had  taken  possession  of  our  property, 
presented  it  to  his  majesty,  saying,  "  Judson  is  a  true 
teacher  ;  we  found  nothing  in  his  house,  but  what  belongs 
to  priests.  In  addition  to  this  money,  there  are  an  im- 
mense number  of  books,  medicines,  trunks  of  wearing 
apparel,  &c.,  of  which  we  have  only  taken  a  list.  Shall 
we  take  them,  or  let  them  remain  ?"  "  Let  them  re- 
main," said  the  king,  "  and  put  this  property  by  itself, 
for  it  shall  be  restored  to  him  again,  if  he  is  found  inno- 
cent."    This  was  an  allusion  to  the  idea  of  his  being  a 

spy- 

For  two  or  three  months  following,  I  was  subject  to 
continual  harassments,  partly  through  my  ignorance  of 
police  management,  and  partly  through  the  insatiable 
desire  of  every  petty  officer  to  enrich  himself  through 
our  misfortunes.  When  the  officers  came  to  our  house 
to  confiscate  our  property,  they  insisted  on  knowing  how 
much  I  had  given  the  governor  and  prison  officers,  to 
release  the  teachers  from  the  inner  prison.     I  honestly 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  13D 

told  them,  and  they  demanded  the  sum  from  the  governor, 
which  threw  him  into  a  dreadful  rage,  and  he  threatened 
to  put  all  the  prisoners  back  into  their  original  place.  I 
went  to  him  the  next  morning,  and  the  first  words  with 
which  he  accosted  me  were,  "  You  are  very  bad  ;  why  did 
you  tell  the  royal  treasurer  that  you  had  given  me  so 
much  money?"  "The  treasurer  inquired;  what  could 
I  say?"  I  replied.  "  Say  that  you  had  given  nothing," 
said  he,  "  and  I  would  have  made  the  teachers  comfort- 
able in  prison ;  but  now  I  know  not  what  will  be  their 
fate."  "  But  I  cannot  tell  a  falsehood,"  I  replied.  "  My 
religion  differs  from  yours — it  forbids  prevarication  ;  and 
had  you  stood  by  me  with  your  knife  raised,  I  could  not 
have  said  what  you  suggest."  His  wife,  who  sat  by  his 
side,  and  who  always,  from  this  time,  continued  my  firm 
friend,  instantly  said,  "  Very  true — what  else  could  she 
have  done  ?  I  like  such  straightforward  conduct ;  you 
must  not  (turning  to  the  governor)  be  angry  with  her." 
I  then  presented  the  governor  with  a  beautiful  opera 
glass  I  had  just  received  from  England,  and  begged  his 
anger  at  me  would  not  influence  him  to  treat  the  prison- 
ers with  unkindness,  and  I  would  endeavor,  from  time  to 
time,  to  make  him  such  presents  as  would  compensate 
for  his  loss.  "  You  may  intercede  for  your  husbfind 
only ;  for  your  sake,  he  shall  remain  where  he  is ;  but  let 
the  other  prisoners  take  care  of  themselves."  I  pleaded 
hard  for  Dr.  Price,  but  he  would  not  listen,  and  the  same 
day  had  him  returned  to  the  inner  prison,  where  he  re- 
mained ten  days.  He  was  then  taken  out  in  consequence 
of  the  doctor's  promising  a  piece  of  broadcloth,  and  my 
sending  two  pieces  of  handkerchiefs. 


140  LIFE    OF   ANX    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

About  this  period,  I  was  one  day  summoned  to  the 
Loot-dau,  in  an  official  way.  What  new  evil  was  befoie 
me,  I  knew  not,  but  was  obliged  to  go.  When  arrived, 
I  was  allowed  to  stand  at  the  bottom  of  the  stairs,  as  no 
female  is  permitted  to  ascend  the  steps,  or  even  to  stand, 
but  sit  on  the  ground.  Hundreds  were  collected  around. 
The  officer  who  presided,  in  an  authoritative  voice  began  : 
''  Speak  the  truth  in  answer  to  the  question  I  shall  ask. 
If  you  speak  true,  no  evil  will  follow ;  but  if  not,  your 
life  will  not  be  spared.  It  is  reported  that  you  have  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  a  Burmese  officer,  a  string  of  pearls, 
a  pair  of  diamond  ear-rings,  and  a  silver  tea-pot,  is  it 
true?"  "It  is  not,"  I  replied;  "and  if  you,  or  any 
other  person,  can  produce  these  articles,  I  refuse  not  to 
die."  The  officer  again  urged  the  necessity  of  "  speak- 
mg  true."  I  told  him  I  had  nothing  more  to  say  on  the 
subject,  but  begged  he  would  use  his  influence  to  obtain 
the  release  of  Mr.  Judson  from  prison. 

I  returned  to  the  house  with  a  heart  much  lighter  than 
I  went,  though  conscious  of  my  perpetual  exposure  to 
such  harassments.  Notwithstanding  the  repulse  I  had 
met  in  my  application  to  the  queen,  I  could  not  remain 
without  making  continual  effort  for  your  brother's  release, 
while  there  was  the  least  probability  of  success.  Time 
after  time,  my  visits  to  the  queen's  sister-in-law  were 
repeated,  till  she  refused  to  answer  a  question,  and 
told  me,  by  her  looks,  I  had  better  keep  out  of  her  pre- 
sence. For  the  seven  following  months,  hardly  a  day 
passed,  that  I  did  not  visit  some  one  of  the  members  of 
government,  or  branches  of  the  royal  family,  in  order  to 
gain  their  influence  in  our  behalf;   but  the  only  benefit 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  141 

resulting  was.  their  encouraging  promises  preserved  us 
from  despair,  and  induced  a  hope  of  the  speedy  termina- 
tion of  our  difficulties,  which  enabled  us  to  bear  our  dis- 
tresses better  than  we  otherwise  should  have  done.  I 
ought,  however,  to  mention,  that  by  repeated  visits  to 
the  different  members  of  government,  I  gained  several 
friends,  who  were  ready  to  assist  me  with  articles  of  food, 
though  in  a  private  manner,  and  who  used  their  influence 
in  the  palace  to  destroy  the  impression  of  our  being  in 
any  way  engaged  in  the  present  war.  But  no  one  dared 
to  speak  a  word  to  the  king  or  queen  in  favor  of  a 
foreigner,  while  there  were  such  continual  reports  of  the 
success  of  the  English  arms. 

During  these  seven  months,  the  continual  extortions 
and  oppressions  to  which  your  brother  and  the  other 
white  prisoners  were  subject,  are  indescribable.  Some 
times,  sums  of  money  were  demanded,  sometimes  pieces 
of  cloth,  and  handkerchiefs ;  at  other  times,  an  order 
would  be  issued,  that  the  white  foreigners  should  not 
speak  to  each  other,  or  have  any  communication  with 
their  friends  without.  Then,  again,  the  servants  were 
forbidden  to  carry  in  their  food  without  an  extra  fee. 
Sometimes,  for  days  and  days  together,  I  could  not  go 
into  the  prison  till  after  dark,  when  I  had  two  miles  to 
walk,  in  returning  to  the  house.  Oh,  how  many,  many 
times  have  I  returned  from  that  dreary  prison  at  nine 
o'clock  at  night,  solitary  and  worn  out  with  fatigue  and 
anxiety,  and  thrown  myself  down  in  that  same  rocking 
chair  which  you  and  Deacon  L.  provided  for  me  in  Bos- 
ton, and  endeavored  to  invent  some  new  scheme  for  the 
release  of  the  prisoners  !     Sometimes,  for  a  moment  or 


142  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON 

two,  my  thoughts  would  glance  toward  America,  and  my 
beloved  parents  there — but  for  nearly  a  year  and  a  half, 
so  entirely  engrossed  was  every  thought  with  present 
scenes  and  sufferings,  that  I  seldom  reflected  on  a  single 
occurrence  of  my  former  life,  or  recollected  that  I  had  a 
friend  in  existence  out  of  Ava. 

You,  my  dear  brother,  who  know  my  strong  attach- 
ment to  my  friends,  and  how  much  pleasure  I  have  hith- 
erto experienced  from  retrospect,  can  judge  from  the 
above  circumstances,  how  intense  were  my  sufferings. 
But  the  point,  the  acme  of  my  distress,  consisted  in  the 
awful  uncertainty  of  our  final  fate.  My  prevailing  opinion 
was,  that  my  husband  would  suffer  violent  death,  and 
that  I  should,  of  course,  become  a  slave,  and  languish 
out  a  miserable  though  short  existence,  in  the  tyrannic 
hands  of  some  unfeeling  monster.  But  the  consolations 
of  religion,  in  these  trying  circumstances,  were  neither 
"  few  nor  small."  It  taught  me  to  look  beyond  this 
world,  to  that  rest,  that  peaceful,  happy  rest  where  Jesus 
reigns,  and  oppression  never  enters.  But  how  have  I 
digressed  from  my  relation  !     I  will  again  return. 

The  war  was  now  prosecuted  with  all  the  energy  the 
Burmese  government  possessed.  New  troops  were  con- 
tinually raised  and  sent  down  the  river,  and  as  frequent 
reports  returned  of  their  being  all  cut  off.  But  that 
part  of  the  Burmese  army  stationed  in  Arracan,  under 
the  command  of  Bandoola,  had  been  more  successful. 
Three  hundred  prisoners,  at  one  time,  were  sent  to  the 
capital,  as  an  evidence  of  the  victory  that  had  been 
gained.  The  king  began  to  think  that  none  but  Ban- 
doola understood  the  art  of  fighting  with  foreigners ;  con- 


LIFE   OF    ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  143 

sequently  his  majesty  recalled  him  with  the  design  of  his 
taking  command  of  the  army  that  had  been  sent  to  Ran- 
goon. On  his  arrival  at  Ava,  he  was  received  at  court 
in  the  most  flattering  manner,  and  was  the  recipient  of 
every  favor  in  the  power  of  the  king  and  queen  to  be- 
stow. He  was,  in  fact,  while  at  Ava,  the  acting  king. 
I  was  resolved  to  apply  to  him  for  the  release  of  the 
missionaries,  though  some  members  of  government  ad- 
vised me  not,  lest  he,  being  reminded  of  their  existence, 
should  issue  an  immediate  order  for  their  execution 
But  it  was  my  last  hope,  and,  as  it  proved,  my  last  ap 
plication. 

Your  brother  wrote  a  petition  privately,  stating  every 
circumstance  that  would  have  a  tendency  to  interest  him 
in  our  behalf.  With  fear  and  trembling  I  approached 
him,  while  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  flatterers  ;  and  one 
of  his  secretaries  took  the  petition,  and  read  it  aloud. 
After  hearing  it,  he  spake  to  me  in  an  obliging  manner 
— asked  several  questions  relative  to  the  teachers — said 
he  would  think  of  the  subject — and  bade  me  come  again. 
I  ran  to  the  prison  to  communicate  the  favorable  recep- 
tion to  Mr.  Judson ;  and  we  both  had  sanguine  hopes 
that  his  release  was  at  hand.  But  the  governor  of  the 
city  expressed  his  ama'zement  at  my  temerity,  and  said 
he  doubted  not  it  would  be  the  means  of  destroying  all 
the  prisoners.  In  a  day  or  two,  however,  I  went  again, 
and  took  a  present  of  considerable  value.  Bandoola  was 
not  at  home,  but  his  lady^  after  ordering  the  present  to 
be  taken  into  another  room,  modestly  informed  me  that 
she  was  ordered  by  her  husband  to  make  the  following 
communication — that  he  was  now  very  busily  employed 


1-14  LIFE   OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

in  making  preparations  for  Rangoon  ;  but  that  when  he 
had  retaken  that  pLace  and  expelled  the  English,  he 
would  return  and  release  all  the  prisoners. 

Thus  again  were  all  our  hopes  dashed ;  and  we  felt 
that  we  could  do  nothing  more,  but  sit  down-  and  sub- 
mit to  our  lot.  From  this  time  we  gave  up  all  idea  of 
being  released  from  prison,  till  the  termination  of  the 
war ;  but  I  was  still  obliged  to  visit  constantly  some  of 
the  members  of  government,  with  little  presents,  par- 
ticularly the  governor  of  the  city,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  situation  of  the  prisoners  tolerable.  I  gen- 
erally spent  the  greater  part  of  every  other  day  at  the 
governor's  house,  giving  him  all  the  information  relative 
to  American  manners,  customs,  government,  &c.  He 
used  to  be  so  much  gratified  with  my  communications, 
as  to  feel  greatly  disappointed,  if  any  occurrence  preven- 
ted my  spending  the  usual  hours  at  his  house. 

Some  months  after  your  brother's  imprisonment,  I 
was  permitted  to  make  a  little  bamboo  room  in  the  prison 
enclosures,  where  he  could  be  much  by  himself,  and 
where  I  was  sometimes  allowed  to  spend  two  or  three 
hours.  It  so  happened  that  the  two  months  he  occu- 
pied this  place,  was  the  coldest  part  of  the  year,  when 
he  would  have  suffered  much  in  the  open  shed  he  had 
previously  occupied.  After  the  birth  of  your  little  niece, 
I  was  unable  to  visit  the  prison  and  the  governor  as  be- 
fore, and  found  I  had  lost  considerable  influence,  pre- 
viously gained ;  for  he  was  not  so  forward  to  hear  my 
petitions  when  any  difiiculty  occurred,  as  he  formerly  had 
been.  When  Maria  was  nearly  two  months  old,  her 
father  one  morning  sent  me  word  that  he  and  all  the  white 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  145 

prisoners  were  put  into  the  inner  prison,  in  five  pairs  of  fet- 
ters each,  that  his  little  room  had  been  torn  down,  and  his 
mat,  pillow,  &c.  been  taken  by  the  jailors.  This  was  to 
me  a  dreadful  shock,  as  I  thought  at  once  it  was  only  a 
prelude  to  greater  evils. 

I  should  have  mentioned  before  this,  the  defeat  of  Ban- 
doola,  his  escape  to  Danooyboo,  the  complete  destruction 
of  his  army  and  loss  of  ammunition,  and  the  consterna- 
tion this  intelligence  produced  at  court.  The  English 
army  had  left  Rangoon,  and  were  advancing  towards 
Prome,  when  these  severe  measures  were  taken  with  the 
prisoners. 

I  went  immediately  to  the  governor's  house.  He  wii.8 
not  at  home,  but  had  ordered  his  wife  to  tell  me  when  I 
came,  not  to  ask  to  have  the  additional  fetters  taken  off, 
or  the  prisoners  released,  for  it  could  not  he  done.  I 
went  to  the  prison  gate,  but  was  forbid  to  enter.  All 
was  as  still  as  death — not  a  white  face  to  be  seen,  or  a 
vestige  of  Mr.  J's.  little  room  remaining.  1  was  deter- 
mined to  see  the  governor,  and  know  the  cause  of  this 
additional  oppression,  and  for  this  purpose  returned  into 
town  the  same  evening,  at  an  hour  I  knew  he  would  be 
at  home.  He  was  in  his  audience  room,  and,  as  I  en- 
tered, looked  up  without  speaking,  but  exhibited  a  mix- 
ture of  shame  and  affected  anger  in  his  countenance.  I 
began  by  saying,  Your  lordship  has  hitherto  treated  us 
with  the  kindness  of  a  father.  Our  obligations  to  you 
are  very  great.  We  have  looked  to  you  for  protection 
from  oppression  and  cruelty.  You  have  in  many  instances 
mitigated  the  sufferings  of  those  unfortunate,  though  in- 
nocent beings,  committed  to  your  charge.     You  have 


146  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINB   JUDSON. 

promised  me  particularly,  that  you  would  stand  by  me  to 

the  last,  and  though  you  should  receive  an  order  from  the 
king,  you  would  not  put  Mr.  J.  to  death.  What  crime 
has  he  committed  to  deserve  such  additional  punishment  ? 
The  old  man's  hard  heart  was  melted,  for  he  wept  like  a 
child.  "  I  pity  you,  Tsa-yar-ga-dau,  (a  name  by  which 
he  always  called  me,)  I  knew  you  would  make  me  feel; 
I  therefore  forbade  your  application.  But  you  must  be- 
lieve me  when  I  say,  I  do  not  wish  to  increase  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  prisoners.  When  I  am  ordered  to  execute 
them,  the  least  that  I  can  do  is,  to  put  them  out  of  sight. 
I  will  now  tell  you,  (continued  he,)  what  I  have  never 
told  you  before,  that  three  times  I  have  received  intima- 
tions from  the  queen's  brother,  to  assassinate  all  the 
white  prisoners  privately ;  but  I  would  not  do  it.  And 
I  now  repeat  it,  though  I  execute  all  the  others,  I  will 
never  execute  your  husband.  But  I  cannot  release  him 
from  his  present  confinement,  and  you  must  not  ask  it.'* 
I  had  never  seen  him  manifest  so  much  feeling,  or  so  re- 
solute in  denying  me  a  favor,  which  circumstance  was  an 
additional  reason  for  thinking  dreadful  scenes  were  be- 
fore us. 

The  situation  of  the  prisoners  was  now  distressing 
beyond  description.  It  was  at  the  commencement  of  the 
hot  season.  There  were  above  a  hundred  prisoners  shut 
up  in  one  room,  without  a  breath  of  air  excepting  from 
the  cracks  in  the  boards.  I  sometimes  obtained  permiis- 
sion  to  go  to  the  door  for  five  minutes,  when  my  heart 
sickened  at  the  wretchedness  exhibited.  The  white  pri- 
soners, from  incessant  perspiration  and  loss  of  appetite, 
looked  more  like  the  dead  than  the  living.     I  made  daily 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JIDSON.  147 

applications  to  the  governor,  oifering  him  money,  which 
he  refused ;  but  all  that  I  gained  was  permission  for  the 
foreigners  to  eat  their  food  outside,  and  this  continued 
"but  a  short  time. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  the  death  of  Bandoola  waa 
announced  in  the  palace.  The  king  heard  it  with  silent 
amazement,  and  the  queen,  in  eastern  style,  smote  upon 
her  breast,  and  cried,  ama  !  ama  !  (alas  !  alas  !)  Who 
could  be  found  to  fill  his  place  ?  who  would  venture,  since 
the  invincible  Bandoola  had  been  cut  off?  Such  were 
the  exclamations  constantly  heard  in  the  streets  of  Ava. 
The  common  people  were  speaking  low  of  a  rebellion,  in 
case  more  troops  should  be  levied.  For,  as  yet,  the  com- 
mon people  had  borne  the  weight  of  the  war ;  not  a  tickal 
had  been  taken  from  the  royal  treasury.  At  length  the 
Pakan  Woon,  who  a  few  months  before  had  been  so  far 
disgraced  by  the  king  as  to  be  thrown  into  prison  and 
irons,  now  offered  himself  to  head  a  new  army  that  should 
be  raised  on  a  different  plan  from  those  which  had  hitherto 
been  raised,  and  assured  the  king  in  the  most  confident 
manner,  that  he  would  conquer  the  English,  and  restore 
those  places  that  had  been  taken,  in  a  very  short  time. 
He  proposed  that  every  soldier  should  receive  a  hundred 
tickals  in  advance,  and  he  would  obtain  security  for  each 
man,  as  the  money  was  to  pass  through  his  hands.  It 
was  afterwards  found  that  he  had  taken  for  his  own  use, 
ten  tickals  from  every  hundred.  He  was  a  man  of  en- 
terprise and  talents,  though  a  violent  enemy  to  all 
foreigners.  His  offers  were  accepted  by  the  king  and 
government,  and  all  power  immediately  committed  to 
him.     One  of  the  first   exercises  of  his   power  was,  to 


148  LIFE   OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSOIS. 

arrest  Lansago  and  the  Portuguese  priest,  who  had  hitherto 
remained  unmolested,  and  cast  them  into  prison,  and  to 
subject  the  native  Portuguese  and  Bengalees  to  the  most 
menial  occupations.  The  whole  town  was  in  alarm,  lest 
they  should  feel  the  effects  of  his  power ;  and  it  was 
owing  to  the  malignant  representations  of  this  man,  tha.t 
the  white  prisoners  suffered  such  a  change  in  their  cir- 
cumstances, as  I  shall  soon  relate. 

After  continuing  in  the  inner  prison  for  more  than  a 
month,  your  brother  was  taken  with  a  fever.  I  felt  as- 
sured he  would  not  live  long,  unless  removed  from  that 
noisome  place.  To  effect  this,  and  in  order  to  be  near 
the  prison,  I  removed  from  our  house,  and  put  up  a  small 
bamboo  room  in  the  governor's  enclosure,  which  was 
nearly  opposite  the  prison  gate.  Here  I  incessantly 
begged  the  governor  to  give  me  an  order  to  take  Mr.  J. 
out  of  the  large  prison,  and  place  him  in  a  more  comfort- 
able situation  ;  and  the  old  man,  being  worn  out  with  my 
entreaties,  at  length  gave  me  the  order  in  an  official  form, 
and  also  gave  orders  to  the  head  jailer,  to  allow  me  to  go 
in  and  out,  all  times  of  the  day,  to  administer  medicines, 
&c.  I  now  felt  happy  indeed,  and  had  Mr.  J.  instantly 
removed  into  a  little  bamboo  hovel,  so  low,  that  neither 
of  us  could  stand  upright — but  a  palace  in  comparison 
with  the  place  he  had  left. 

Notwithstanding  the  order  the  governor  had  given  for 
my  admittance  into  prison,  it  was  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty that  I  could  persuade  the  under  jailer  to  open  the 
gate.  I  used  to  carry  Mr.  J's.  food  myself,  for  the  sake 
of  getting  in,  and  would  then  remain  an  hour  or  two, 
unless  driven  out.     We  had  been  in  this  comfortable  sit- 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  149 

uation  but  two  or  three  days,  when  one  morning,  having 
carried  in  Mr.  Judson's  breakfast,  which,  in  consequence 
of  fever,  he  was  unable  to  take,  I  remained  longer  than 
usual,  when  the  governor,  in  great  haste,  sent  for  me.  I 
promised  him  to  return  as  soon  as  I  had  ascertained  the 
governor's  will,  he  being  much  alarmed  at  this  unusual 
message.  I  was  very  agreeably  disappointed,  when  the 
governor  informed  me  that  he  only  wished  to  consult  me 
about  his  watch,  and  seemed  unusually  pleasant  and  con- 
versable. I  found  afterwards,  that  his  only  object  was 
to  detain  me  until  the  dreadful  scene  about  to  take  place 
in  the  prison  was  over.  For,  when  I  left  him  to  go  to 
my  room,  one  of  the  servants  came  running,  and  with  a 
ghastly  countenance,  informed  me  that  all  the  white  pri- 
soners were  carried  away.  I  would  not  believe  the  re- 
port, and  instantly  went  back  to  the  governor,  who  said 
he  had  just  heard  of  it,  but  did  not  wish  to  tell  me.  I 
hastily  ran  into  the  street,  hoping  to  get  a  glimpse  of 
them  before  they  were  out  of  sight,  but  in  this  was  dis- 
appointed. I  ran  first  into  one  street,  then  another,  in- 
quiring of  all  I  met,  but  no  one  would  answer  me.  At 
length  an  old  w^oman  told  me  the  white  prisoners  had 
gone  towards  the  little  river,  for  they  were  to  be  carried 
to  Amarapora.  I  then  ran  to  the  banks  of  the  little 
river,  about  half  a  mile,  but  saw  them  not,  and  concluded 
the  old  woman  had  deceived  me.  Some  of  the  friends 
of  the  foreigners  went  to  the  place  of  execution,  but 
found  them  not.  I  then  returned  to  the  governor  to  try 
to  discover  the  cause  of  their  removal,  and  the  probabil- 
ity of  their  future  fate.  The  old  man  assured  me  that 
he  was   ignorant  of  the   intention  of  government  to  re- 


150  LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

move  the  foreigners  till  that  morning.  That  since  I  went 
out,  he  had  learned  that  the  prisoners  were  to  be  sent  to 
Amarapora ;  but  for  what  purpose,  he  knew  not.  *'  I 
will  send  off  a  man  immediately,"  said  he,  "to  see  what 
is  to  bo  done  with  them.  You  can  do  nothing  more  for 
your  husband,"  continued  he;  ^^  take  care  of  yourself ."* 
With  a  heavy  heart  I  went  to  my  room,  and  having  no 
hope  to  excite  me  to  exertion,  I  sunk  down  almost  in 
despair.  For  several  days  previous,  I  had  been  actively 
engaged  in  building  my  own  little  room,  and  making  our 
hovel  comfortable.  My  thoughts  had  been  almost  en- 
tirely occupied  in  contriving  means  to  get  into  prison. 
But  now  I  looked  towards  the  gate  with  a  kind  of  melan- 
choly feeling,  but  no  wish  to  enter.  All  was  the  stillness 
of  death,  no  preparation  of  your  brother's  food,  no  ex- 
pectation of  meeting  him  at  the  usual  dinner  hour,  all 
my  employment,  all  my  occupations  seemed  to  have 
ceased,  and  I  had  nothing  left  but  the  dreadful  recollec- 
tion that  Mr.  Judson  was  carried  off,  I  knew  not  whither. 
It  was  one  of  the  most  insupportable  days  I  ever  passed. 
Towards  night,  however,  I  came  to  the  determination  to 
set  off  the  next  morning  for  Amarapora ;  and  for  this 
purpose  was  obliged  to  go  to  our  house  out  of  town. 

Never  before  had  I  suffered  so  much  from  fear  in 
traversing  the  streets  of  Ava.  The  last  words  of  the 
governor,  "Take  care  of  yourself,"  made  me  suspect 
there  was  some  design  with  which  I  was  unacquainted. 
I  saw,  also,  he  was  afraid  to  have  me  go  into  the  streets, 
and  advised  me  to  wait  till  dark,  when  he  would  send  me 
in  a  cart,  and  a  man  to  open  the  gates.  I  took  two  or 
three  trunks  of  the  most  valuable  articles,  together  with 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  151 

the  medicine  chest,  to  deposit  in  the  house  of  the  gov- 
ernor ;  and  after  committing  the  house  and  premises  to 
our  faithful  Moung  Ing  and  a  Bengalee  servant,  who 
continued  with  us,  (though  we  were  unable  to  pay  his 
wages,)  I  took  leave,  as  I  then  thought  probable,  of  our 
house  in  Ava,  forever. 

On  my  return  to  the  governor's,  I  found  a  servant  of 
Mr.  Gouger,  who  happened  to  be  near  the  prison  when 
the  foreigners  were  led  out,  and  followed  on  to  see  the 
end,  who  informed  me  that  the  prisoners  had  been  car- 
ried before  the  Lamine  Woon,  at  Amarapora,  and  were 
to  be  sent  the  next  day  to  a  village  he  knew  not  how  far 
distant.  My  distress  was  a  little  relieved  by  the  intelli- 
gence that  our  friend  was  yet  alive,  but  still  I  knew  not 
what  was  to  become  of  him.  The  next  morning  I  ob- 
tained a  pass  from  government,  and  with  my  little  Maria, 
who  was  then  only  three  months  old,  Mary  and  Abby 
Hasseltine,  (two  of  the  Burman  children,)  and  our  Ben- 
galee cook,  who  was  the  only  one  of  the  party  that 
could  afford  me  any  assistance,  I  set  off  for  Amarapora. 
The  day  was  dreadfully  hot ;  but  we  obtained  a  covered 
boat,  in  which  we  were  tolerably  comfortable,  till  within 
two  miles  of  the  government  house.  I  then  procured  a 
cart ;  but  the  violent  motion,  together  with  the  dreadful 
heat  and  dust,  made  me  almost  distracted.  But  what 
was  my  disappointment  on  my  arriving  at  the  court- 
house to  find  that  the  prisoners  had  been  sent  on  two 
hours  before,  and  that  I  must  go,  in  that  uncomfortable 
mode,  four  miles  further,  with  little  Maria  in  my  arms, 
whom  I  held  all  the  way  from  Ava.  The  cart  man  re- 
fused to  go  any  further ;  and,  after  waiting  an  hour  in 


152  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  burning  sun,  I  procured  another  and  set  off  for  that 
never  to  be  forgotten  place,  Oung-pen-la.  I  obtained  a 
guide  from  the  governor,  and  was  conducted  directly  to 
the  prison  yard.  But  what  a  scene  of  wretchedness  was 
presented  to  my  view  !  The  prison  was  an  old,  shattered 
building,  without  a  roof;  the  fence  was  entirely  de- 
stroyed ;  eight  or  ten  Burmese  were  on  the  top  of  the 
building,  trying  to  make  something  like  a  shelter  with 
leaves  ;  while  under  a  little  low  projection  outside  of  the 
prison  sat  the  foreigners,  chained  together  two  and  two, 
almost  dead  with  suffering  and  fatigue.  The  first  words 
of  your  brother  were,  ''  Why  have  you  come  ?  I  hoped 
you  would  not  follow,  for  you  cannot  live  here."  It  was 
now  dark.  I  had  no  refreshment  for  the  suffering 
prisoners,  or  for  myself,  as  I  had  expected  to  procure  all 
that  was  necessary  at  the  market  of  Amarapora,  and  I 
had  no  shelter  for  the  night.  I  asked  one  of  the  jailers 
if  I  might  put  up  a  little  bamboo  house  near  the  prison ; 
he  said,  no,  it  was  not  customary.  I  then  begged  he 
would  procure  me  a  shelter  for  the  night,  when  on  the 
morrow  I  could  find  some  place  to  live  in.  He  took  me  to 
his  house,  in  which  there  were  only  two  small  rooms — one 
in  which  he  and  his  family  lived — the  other,  which  was 
then  half  full  of  grain,  he  offered  me ;  and  in  that  little, 
filthy  place  I  spent  the  next  six  "months  of  wretchedness. 
1  procured  some  half  boiled  water,  instead  of  my  tea, 
and,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  laid  myself  down  on  a  mat 
spread  over  the  paddy,  and  endeavored  to  obtain  a  little 
refreshment  from  sleep.  The  next  morning  your  brother 
gave  me  the  following  account  of  the  brutal  treatment 
he  had  received  on  being  taken  out  of  prison  : 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  153 

As  soon  as  I  had  gone  out  at  the  call  of  the  governor, 
one  of  the  jailors  rushed  into  Mr.  J's  little  room — 
roughly  seized  him  by  the  arm — pulled  him  out — stripped 
him  of  all  his  clothes,  excepting  his  shirt  and  pantaloons 
— took  his  shoes,  hat,  and  all  his  bedding — tore  off  his 
chains — tied  a  rope  round  his  waist,  and  dragged  him  to 
the  court-house,  where  the  other  prisoners  had  previouly 
been  taken.  They  were  then  tied  two  and  two,  and  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  the  Lamine  Woon,  who  went 
on  before  them  on  horseback,  while  his  slaves  drove  the 
prisoners,  one  of  the  slaves  holding  the  rope  which  con- 
nected two  of  them  together.  It  was  in  May,  one  of 
the  hottest  months  in  the  year,  and  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
day,  so  that  the  sun  was  intolerable,  indeed.  They  had 
proceeded  only  half  a  mile  when  your  brother's  feet  be- 
came blistered,  and  so  great  was  his  agony,  even  at  this 
early  period,  that,  as  they  were  crossing  the  little  river, 
he  ardently  longed  to  throw  himself  into  the  water  to  be 
free  from  misery.  But  the  sin  attached  to  such  an  act 
alone  prevented.  They  had  then  eight  miles  to  walk. 
The  sand  and  gravel  were  like  burning  coals  to  the  feet 
of  the  prisoners,  which  soon  became  perfectly  destitute 
of  skin;  and,  in  this  wretched  state,  they  were  goaded 
on  by  their  unfeeling  drivers.  Mr.  J.'s  debilitated  state, 
in  consequence  of  fever,  and  having  taken  no  food  that 
morning  rendered  him  less  capable  of  bearing  such  hard- 
ships than  the  other  prisoners.  When  about  half  way 
on  their  journey,  as  they  stopped  for  water,  your  brother 
begged  the  Lamine  Woon  to  allow  him  to  ride  his  horse 
a  mile  or  two,  as  he  could  proceed  no  farther  in  that 
dreadful  state.     But  a  scornful,  malignant  look,  was  all 


154  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

the  reply  that  was  made.  He  then  requested  Captain 
Laird,  who  was  tied  with  him,  and  who  was  a  strong, 
healthy  man,  to  allow  him  to  take  hold  of  his  shoulder, 
as  he  was  fast  sinking.  This  the  kind-hearted  man 
granted  for  a  mile  or  two,  but  then  found  the  additional 
burden  insupportable.  Just  at  that  period  Mr.  Gouger's 
Bengalee  servant  came  up  to  them,  and  seeing  the  dis- 
tress of  your  brother,  took  off  his  head-dress,  which 
was  made  of  cloth,  tore  it  in  two,  gave  half  to  his  master 
and  half  to  Mr.  Judson,  which  he  instantly  wrapped 
around  his  wounded  feet,  as  they  were  not  allowed  to 
rest  even  for  a  moment.  The  servant  then  offered  his 
shoulder  to  Mr.  Judson,  who  was  almost  carried  by  him 
the  remainder  of  the  way.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  sup- 
port and  assistance  of  this  man,  your  brother  thinks  he 
should  have  shared  the  fate  of  the  poor  Greek,  who  was 
one  of  their  number,  and  when  taken  out  of  prison  that 
morning  was  in  perfect  health.  But  he  was  a  corpulent 
man,  and  the  sun  affected  him  so  much  that  he  fell  down 
on  the  way.  His  inhuman  drivers  beat  and  dragged  him 
until  they  themselves  were  wearied,  when  they  procured 
a  cart,  in  which  he  was  carried  the  remaining  two  miles. 
But  the  poor  creature  expired  in  an  hour  or  two  after 
their  arrival  at  the  court-house.  The  Lamine  Woon, 
seeing  the  distressing  state  of  the  prisoners,  and  that 
one  of  their  number  was  dead,  concluded  they  should  go 
no  further  that  night,  otherwise  they  would  have  been 
driven  on  until  they  reached  Oung-pen-la  the  same  day. 
An  old  shed  was  appointed  for  their  abode  during  the 
night,  but  without  even  a  mat  or  pillow,  or  anything  to 
cover  them.     The  curiosity  of  the  Lamine  Woon's  wife, 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  155 

induced  her  to  make  a  visit  to  the  prisoners,  whose 
wretchedness  considerably  excited  her  compassion,  and 
she  ordered  some  fruit,  sugar,  and  tamarinds,  for  their 
refreshment ;  and  the  next  morning  rice  was  prepared 
for  them,  and  as  poor  as  it  was,  it  was  refreshing  to  the 
prisoners,  who  had  been  almost  destitute  of  food  the  day 
before.  Carts  were  also  provided  for  their  conveyance, 
as  none  of  them  were  able  to  walk.  All  this  time  the 
foreigners  were  entirely  ignorant  of  what  was  to  become 
of  them ;  and  when  they  arrived  at  Oung-pen-la,  and 
saw  the  dilapidated  state  of  the  prison,  they  immediately, 
all  as  one,  concluded  that  they  were  there  to  be  burnt, 
agreeably  to  the  report  which  had  previously  been  in 
circulation  at  Ava.  They  all  endeavored  to  prepare 
themselves  for  the  awful  scene  anticipated ;  and  it  was 
not  until  they  saw  preparations  making  for  repairing  the 
prison  that  they  had  the  least  doubt  that  a  cruel,  linger- 
ing death  awaited  them.  My  arrival  was  in  an  hour  or 
two  after  this. 

The  next  morning  I  arose  and  endeavored  to  find 
something  like  food.  But  there  was  no  market,  and 
nothing  to  be  procured.  One  of  Dr.  Price's  friends, 
however,  brought  some  cold  rice  and  vegetable  curry 
from  Amarapora,  which,  together  with  a  cup  of  tea  from 
Mr.  Lansago,  answered  for  the  breakfast  of  the  prison- 
ers ;  and  for  dinner  we  made  a  curry  of  dried  salt  fish, 
which  a  servant  of  Mr.  Gouger  had  brought.  All  the 
money  I  could  command  in  the  world  I  had  brought  with 
me,  secreted  about  my  person  ;  so  you  may  judge  what 
our  prospects  were,  in  case  the  war  should  continue  long. 
But   our  Heavenly  Father  was  better  to  us   than  our 


156  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

fears ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  constant  extortions  of 
the  jailers,  during  the  whole  six  months  we  were  at 
Oung-pen-la,  and  the  frequent  straits  to  which  we  were 
brought,  we  never  really  suffered  for  the  want  of  money, 
though  frequently  for  want  of  provisions,  which  were  not 
procurable.  Here  at  this  place  my  personal  bodily  suf- 
ferings commenced.  AVhile  your  brother  was  confined 
in  the  city  prison,  I  had  been  allowed  to  remain  in  our 
house,  in  which  I  had  many  conveniences  left,  and  my 
health  had  continued  good  beyond  all  expectations. 
But  now  I  had  not  a  single  article  of  convenience — not 
even  a  chair  or  seat  of  any  kind,  excepting  a  bamboo 
floor. 

The  very  morning  after  my  arrival,  Mary  Hasseltine 
was  taken  wdth  the  small  pox,  the  natural  way.  She, 
though  very  young,  was  the  only  assistant  I  had  in  taking 
care  of  little  Maria.  But  she  now  required  all  the  time 
I  could  spare  from  Mr.  Judson,  whose  fever  still  con- 
tinued in  prison,  and  whose  feet  were  so  dreadfully  man- 
gled that  for  several  days  he  was  unable  to  move.  I 
knew  not  what  to  do,  for  I  could  procure  no  assistance 
from  the  neighborhood,  or  medicine  for  the  sufferers,  but 
was  all  day  long  going  backw^ards  and  forwards  from  the 
house  to  the  prison,  with  little  Maria  in  my  arms. 
Sometimes  I  was  greatly  relieved  by  leaving  her  for  an 
hour,  when  asleep,  by  the  side  of  her  father,  while  I  re- 
turned to  the  house  to  look  after  Mary,  whose  fever  ran 
so  high  as  to  produce  delirium.  She  was  so  completely 
covered  with  the  small  pox  that  there  was  no  distinction 
m  the  pustules.  As  she  was  in  the  same  little  room  with 
myself  I  knew  Maria  would  take  it ;  I  therefore   inocu- 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  157 

lated  her  from  another  chikl,  before  Mary's  had  arrived 
at  such  a  state  as  to  be  infectious.  It  the  same  time  I 
inoculated  Abby  and  the  jailor's  children,  who  all  had 
it  so  lightly  as  hardly  to  interrupt  their  play.  But  the 
inoculation  in  the  arm  of  my  poor  little  Maria  did  not 
take — she  caught  it  of  Mary,  and  had  it  the  natural  way. 
She  was  then  only  three  months  and  a  half  old,  and  had 
been  a  most  healthy  child;  but  it  was  above  three  months 
before  she  perfectly  recovered  from  the  effects  of  this 
dreadful  disorder. 

You  will  recollect  I  never  had  the  small  pox,  but  was 
vaccinated  previously  to  leaving  America.  In  conse- 
quence of  being  for  so  long  a  time  constantly  exposed, 
I  had  nearly  a  hundred  postules  formed,  though  no  pre- 
vious symptoms  of  fever,  &c.  The  jailer's  children 
having  had  the  small  pox  so  lightly,  in  consequence  of 
inoculation,  my  fame  was  spread  all  over  the  village, 
and  every  child,  young  and  old,  who  had  not  previously 
had  it,  was  brouo-ht  for  inoculation.  And  althouorh  I 
knew  nothing  about  the  disorder,  or  the  mode  of  treating 
it,  I  inoculated  the  mall  with  a  needle,  and  told  them 
to  take  care  of  their  diet, — all  the  instructions  I  could 
give  them.  Mr.  Judson's  health  was  gradually  restored, 
and  he  found  himself  much  more  comfortably  situated, 
than  when  in  the  city  prison. 

The  prisoners  were  at  first  chained  two  and  two ;  but 
as  soon  as  the  jailers  could  obtain  chains  sufficient,  they 
were  separated,  and  each  prisoner  had  but  one  pair. 
The  prison  was  repaired,  a  new  fence  made,  and  a  large 
airy  shed  erected  in  front  of  the  prison,  where  the 
prisoners  were  allowed  to  remain  during  the  day,  though 


158  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

locked  up  in  the  little  close  prison  at  night.  All  the 
children  recovered  from  the  small  pox  ;  but  my  -watchings 
and  fatigue,  together  with  my  miserable  food,  and  more 
miserable  lodgings,  brought  on  one  of  the  diseases  of 
the  country,  which  is  almost  always  fatal  to  foreigners. 
My  constitution  seemed  destroyed,  and  in  a  few  days  I 
became  so  weak  as  to  be  hardly  able  to  walk  to  Mr. 
Judson's  prison,  in  this  debilitated  state,  I  set  off  in  a 
cart  for  Ava,  to  procure  medicines,  and  some  suitable 
food,  leaving  the  cook  to  supply  my  place.  I  reached 
the  house  in  safety,  and  for  two  or  three  days  the  dis- 
order seemed  at  a  stand ;  after  which  it  attacked  me  so 
violently,  that  I  had  no  hopes  of  recovery  left — and  my 
only  anxiety  now  was,  to  return  to  Oung-pen-la  to  die 
near  the  prison.  It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that 
I  obtained  the  medicine  chest  from  the  governor,  and 
then  had  no  one  to  administer  medicine.  I  however  got 
at  the  laudanum,  and  by  taking  two  drops  at  a  time  for 
several  hours,  it  so  far  checked  the  disorder,  as  to  en- 
able me  to  get  on  board  a  boat,  though  so  weak  that  I 
could  not  stand,  and  again  set  off  for  Oung-pen-la.  The 
last  four  miles  was  in  that  painful  conveyance,  the  cart, 
and  in  the  midst  of  the  rainy  season,  when  the  mud 
almost  buries  the  oxen.  You  may  form  some  idea  of  a 
Burmese  cart,  when  I  tell  you  their  wheels  are  not  con- 
structed like  ours,  but  are  simply  round  thick  planks 
with  a  h)le  in  the  middle,  through  which  a  pole  that 
supports  the  body  is  thrust. 

I  just  reached  Oung  pen-la,  when  my  strength  seemed 
entirely  exhausted.  The  good  native  cook  came  out  to 
help  me  into  the  house ;  but  so  altered  and  emaciated 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  159 

was  my  appearance,  that  the  poor  fellow  burst  into  tears 
at  the  first  sight.  I  crawled  on  to  the  mat  in  the  little 
room,  to  which  I  was  confined  for  more  than  two  months, 
and  never  perfectly  recovered,  until  I  came  to  the  Eng- 
lish camp.  At  this  period,  when  I  was  unable  to  take 
care  of  myself,  or  look  after  Mr.  Judson,  we  must  both 
have  died,  had  it  not  been  for  the  faithful  and  affectionate 
care  of  our  Bengalee  cook.  A  common  Beno-alee  cook 
will  do  nothing  but  the  simple  business  of  cooking.  But 
he  seemed  to  forget  his  caste,  and  almost  his  own  wants, 
in  his  efforts  to  serve  us.  He  would  provide,  cook,  and 
carry  your  brother's  food,  and  then  return  and  take  care 
of  me.  I  have  frequently  known  him  not  to  taste  food 
till  near  night,  in  consequence  of  having  to  go  so  far  for 
wood  and  water,  and  in  order  to  have  Mr.  Judson's  dinner 
ready  at  the  usual  hour.  He  never  complained,  never 
asked  for  his  wages,  and  never  for  a  moment  hesitated 
to  go  anywhere,  or  to  perform  any  act  we  required.  I 
take  great  pleasure  in  speaking  of  the  faithful  conduct 
of  this  servant,  who  is  still  with  us,  and  I  trust  has  been 
well  rewarded  for  his  services. 

Our  dear  little  Maria  was  the  greatest  sufferer  at  this 
time,  my  illness  depriving  her  of  her  usual  nourishment, 
and  neither  a  nurse  nor  a  drop  of  milk  could  be  procured 
in  the  village.  By  making  presents  to  the  jailers,  I  ob- 
tained leave  for  Mr.  Judson  to  come  out  of  prison,  and 
take  the  emaciated  creature  around  the  village,  to  beg  a 
little  nourishment  from  those  mothers  who  had  young 
children.  Her  cries  in  the  night  were  heart-rending, 
when  it  was  impossible  to  supply  her  wants.  I  now  be- 
gan to  think  the  very  afflictions  of  Job  had  come  upon 


160  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

me.  "When  in  healtli,  I  could  bear  the  various  trials  and 
vicissitudes  through  which  I  was  called  to  pass.  But  to 
be  confined  Avith  sickness,  and  unable  to  assist  those  who 
were  so  dear  to  me,  when  in  distress,  was  almost  too  much 
for  me  to  bear ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  consolations 
of  religion,  and  an  assured  conviction  that  every  addi- 
tional trial  was  ordered  by  infinite  love  and  mercy,  I  must 
have  sunk  under  my  accumulated  sufierings.  Sometimes 
our  jailers  seemed  a  little  softened  at  our  distress,  and 
for  several  days  together  allowed  Mr.  Judson  to  come  to 
the  house,  which  was  to  me  an  unspeakable  consolation. 
Then  again,  they  would  be  as  iron-hearted  in  their  de- 
mands, as  though  we  were  free  from  sufferings,  and  in 
affluent  circumstances.  The  annoyance,  the  extortions, 
and  oppressions  to  which  we  were  subject,  during  our 
six  months'  residence  in  Oung-pen-la,  are  beyond  enume- 
ration or  description. 

It  was  some  time  after  our  arrival  at  Oung-pen-la,  that 
we  heard  of  the  execution  of  the  Pakan  Woon,  in  con- 
consequence  of  which  our  lives  were  still  preserved.  For 
we  afterwards  ascertained,  that  the  white  foreigners  had 
been  sent  to  Oung-pen-la,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
sacrificing  them ;  and  that  he  himself  intended  witness- 
ing the  horrid  scene.  We  had  frequently  heard  of  his 
intended  arrival  at  Oung-pen-la ;  but  we  had  no  idea  of 
his  diabolical  purposes.  He  had  raised  an  army  of  fifty 
thousand  men,  (a  tenth  part  of  whose  advance  pay  was 
found  in  his  house,)  and  expected  to  march  against  the 
English  army  in  a  short  time,  when  he  was  suspected  of 
high  treason,  and  instantly  executed  w^ithout  the  least 
examination.     Perhaps  no  death  in  Ava  ever  produced 


LIFE   OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  161 

such  universal  rejoicings,  as  that  of  the  Pakan  Woon, 
We  never,  to  this  day,  hear  his  name  mentioned,  but 
with  an  epithet  of  reproach  or  hatred.  Another  bro- 
ther of  the  king  was  appointed  to  the  coTamand  of  the 
army  now  in  readiness,  but  with  no  very  sanguine  expec- 
tations of  success.  Some  weeks  after  the  departure  of 
these  troops,  two  of  the  Woon-gyees  were  sent  down  for 
the  purpose  of  negotiating.  But  not  being  successful, 
the  queen's  brother,  the  acting  king  of  the  country,  was 
prevailed  on  to  go.  Great  expectations  were  raised 
in  consequence ;  but  his  cowardice  induced  him  to  en- 
camp his  detachment  of  the  army  at  a  great  distance 
from  the  English,  and  even  at  a  distance  from  the  main 
body  of  the  Burmese  army,  whose  head-quarters  were 
then  at  Maloun.  Thus  he  effected  nothing,  though  re- 
ports were  continually  reaching  us,  that  peace  was  nearly 
concluded. 

The  time  at  length  arrived  for  our  release  from  the 
dreary  scenes  of  Oung-pen-la.  A  messenger  from  our 
friend,  the  governor  of  the  north  gate  of  the  palace,  in- 
formed us  that  an  order  had  been  given  the  evening 
before,  in  the  palace,  for  Mr.  Judson's  release.  On  the 
same  evening,  an  official  order  arrived,  and  with  a  joyful 
heart  I  set  about  preparing  for  our  departure  early  the 
following  morning.  But  an  unexpected  obstacle  occurred, 
which  made  us  fear  that  /  should  still  be  retained  as  a 
prisoner.  The  avaricious  jailers,  unwilling  to  lose  their 
prey,  insisted,  that  as  my  name  was  not  included  in  the 
order,  I  should  not  go.  In  vain  I  urged  that  I  was  not 
sent  there  as  a  prisoner,  and  that  they  had  no  authority 
over  me — they  still  determined  I  should  not  go,  and  for- 
11 


162  LIFE   OF    ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

bade  the  villagers  letting  me  a  cart.  Mr.  Judson  was 
then  taken  out  of  prison,  and  brought  to  the  jailer's 
house,  where,  by  promises  and  threatenings,  he  finally 
gained  their  consent,  on  condition  that  we  would  leave 
the  remaining  part  of  our  provisions  we  had  recently 
received  from  Ava.  It  was  noon  before  we  were  allowed 
to  depart.  When  we  reached  Amarapora,  Mr.  Judson 
was  obliged  to  follow  the  guidance  of  the  jailer,  who 
conducted  him  to  the  governor  of  the  city.  Having 
made  all  necessary  inquiries,  the  governor  appointed 
another  guard,  which  conveyed  Mr.  Judson  to  the  court- 
house in  Ava,  to  which  place  he  arrived  some  time  in  the 
night.  I  took  my  own  course,  procured  a  boat,  and 
reached  our  house  before  dark. 

My  first  object  the  next  morning,  was  to  go  in  search 
of  your  brother,  and  I  had  the  mortification  to  meet  him 
again  in  prison,  though  not  the  death  prison.  I  went 
immediately  to  my  old  friend,  the  governor  of  the  city, 
who  now  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  Woon-gyee.  He 
informed  me  that  Mr.  Judson  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Bur- 
mese camp,  to  act  as  translator  and  interpreter  ;  and 
that  he  was  put  in  confinement  for  a  short  time  only,  till 
his  afi"airs  were  settled.  Early  on  the  following  morning, 
I  went  to  this  officer  again,  who  told  me  that  Mr.  Judson 
had  that  moment  received  twenty  tickals  from  govern- 
ment, with  orders  to  go  immediately  on  board  a  boat  for 
Maloun,  and  that  he  had  given  him  permission  to  stop  a 
few  moments  at  the  house,  it  being  on  his  way.  I  has- 
tened back  to  the  house,  where  Mr.  Judson  soon  arrived, 
but  was  allowed  to  remain  only  a  short  time,  while  I 
could  prepare  food  and  clothing  for  future  use.     He  was 


LIFE    OF    ANN   HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  16B 

crowded  into  a  little  boat,  where  he  had  not  room  to  lie 
down,  and  where  his  exposure  to  the  cold,  damp  nights 
threw  him  into  a  violent  fever,  which  had  nearly  ended 
all  his  sufferings.  He  arrived  at  Maloun  on  the  third 
day,  where,  ill  as  he  was,  he  was  obliged  to  enter  imme- 
diately on  the  work  of  translating.  He  remained  at 
Maloun  six  weeks,  suffering  as  much  as  he  had  at  any 
time  in  prison,  excepting  he  was  not  in  irons,  nor  exposed 
to  the  insults  of  those  cruel  jailers. 

For  the  first  fortnight  after  his  departure,  my  anxiety 
was  less  than  it  had  been  at  any  time  previous,  since  the 
commencement  of  our  difficulties.  I  knew  the  Burmese 
officers  at  the  camp  would  feel  the  value  of  Mr.  Judson's 
services  too  much  to  allow  their  using  any  measures 
threatening  his  life.  I  thought  his  situation,  also,  would 
be  much  more  comfortable  than  it  really  was — hence  my 
anxiety  was  less.  But  my  health,  which  had  never  been 
restored  since  that  violent  attack  at  Oung-pen-la,  now 
daily  declined,  till  I  was  seized  with  the  spotted  fever, 
with  all  its  attendant  horrors.  I  knew  the  nature  of  the 
fever  from  its  commencement,  and  from  the  shattered 
state  of  my  constitution,  together  with  the  want  of  med- 
ical attendants,  I  concluded  it  must  be  fatal.  The  day 
I  was  taken  with  the  fever,  a  Burmese  nurse  came  and 
offered  her  services  for  Maria.  This  circumstance  filled 
me  with  gratitude  and  confidence  in  God,  for  though  I 
had  so  long  and  so  constantly  made  efforts  to  obtain  a 
person  of  this  description,  I  had  never  been  able ;  when, 
at  the  very  time  I  most  needed  one,  and  without  any 
exertion,  a  voluntary  offer  was  made.  My  fever  raged 
violently,  and   without   any  intermission.     I   began   to 


164  LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

think  of  settling  mj  worldly  affairs,  and  of  committing  my 
dear  little  Maria  to  the  care  of  a  Portuguese  woman, 
when  I  lost  my  reason,  and  was  insensible  to  all  around 
me.  At  this  dreadful  period.  Dr.  Price  was  released 
from  prison ;  and  hearing  of  my  illness,  obtained  per- 
mission to  come  and  see  me.  He  has  since  told  me  that 
my  situation  was  the  most  distressing  he  had  ever  wit- 
nessed, and  that  he  did  not  then  think  I  should  survive  many 
hours.  My  hair  was  shaved,  my  head  and  feet  covered 
with  blisters,  and  Dr.  Price  ordered  the  Bengalee  ser- 
vant who  took  care  of  me,  to  endeavor  to  persuade  me 
to  take  a  little  nourishment,  which  I  had  obstinately  re- 
fused for  several  days.  One  of  the  first  things  I  recollect 
was,  seeing  this  faithful  servant  standing  by  me,  trying 
to  induce  me  to  take  a  little  wine  and  water.  I  was,  in 
fact,  so  far  gone,  that  the  Burmese  neighbors  who  had 
come  in  to  see  me  expire,  said,  "  She  is  dead ;  and  if  the 
King  of  angels  should  come  in,  he  could  not  recover 
her." 

The  fever,  I  afterwards  understood,  had  run  seventeen 
days  when  the  blisters  were  applied.  I  now  began  to 
recover  slowly ;  but  it  was  more  than  a  month  after  this 
before  I  had  strength  to  stand.  While  in  this  weak,  de- 
bilitated state,  the  servant  who  had  followed  your  bro- 
ther to  the  Burmese  camp,  came  in,  and  informed  me 
that  his  master  had  arrived,  and  was  conducted  to  the 
court-house  in  town.  I  sent  off  a  Burman  to  watch  the 
movements  of  government,  and  to  ascertain,  if  possible, 
m  what  way  Mr.  Judson  was  to  be  disposed  of.  He  soon 
returned  with  the  sad  intelligence,  that  he  saw  Mr.  Jud- 
son go  out  of  the  palace  yard,  accompanied  by  two  or 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  165 

three  Burmans,  who  conducted  him  to  one  of  the  prisons, 
and  that  it  was  reported  in  town,  that  he  was  to  be  sent 
back  to  the  Oung-pen-la  prison.  I  was  too  weak  to  bear 
ill  tidings  of  any  kind ;  but  a  shock  so  dreadful  as  this, 
almost  annihilated  me.  For  some  time,  I  could  hardly 
breathe ;  but  at  last  gained  sufficient  composure  to  des- 
patch Moung  Ing  to  our  friend,  the  governor  of  the  north 
gate,  and  begged  him  to  make  one  more  effort  for  the 
release  of  Mr.  Judson,  and  prevent  his  being  sent  back 
to  the  country  prison,  where  I  knew  he  must  suffer  much, 
as  1  could  not  follow.  Moung  Ing  then  went  in  search 
of  Mr.  Judson ;  and  it  was  nearly  dark  when  he  found 
him  in  the  interior  of  an  obscure  prison.  I  had  sent 
food  early  in  the  afternoon,  but  being.unable  tofind  him, 
the  bearer  had  returned  with  it,  which  added  another 
pang  to  my  distresses,  as  I  feared  he  was  already  sent  to 
Oung-pen-la. 

If  I  ever  felt  the  value  and  efficacy  of  prayer,  I  did 
at  this  time.  I  could  not  rise  from  my  couch ;  I  could 
make  no  efforts  to  secure  my  husband  ;  I  could  only  plead 
with  that  great  and  powerful  Being  who  has  said,  "  Call 
upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  I  mill  hear,  and  thou 
shalt  glorify  me ;"  and  who  made  me  at  this  time  feel 
so  powerfully  this  promise,  that  I  became  quite  com- 
posed, feeling  assured  that  my  prayers  would  be  an- 
swered. 

AVhen  Mr.  Judson  was  sent  from  Maloun  to  Ava,  it 
was  within  five  minutes'  notice,  and  without  his  know- 
ledge of  the  cause.  On  his  way  up  the  river,  he  acci- 
dentally saw  the  communication  made  to  government 
respecting  him,  which  was  simply  this :    "  We  haTC  no 


166       LIFE  OF  ANN  HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 

further  use  for  YoodathaUj  we  therefore  return  him  to 
the  golden  city."  On  arriving  at  the  court-house,  there 
happened  to  be  no  one  present  who  was  acquainted  with 
Mr.  J.  The  presiding  officer  inquired  from  what  place 
he  had  been  sent  to  Maloun.  He  was  answered  from 
Oung-pen-la.  Let  him  then,  said  the  officer,  be  returned 
thither — when  he  was  delivered  to  a  guard  and  con- 
ducted to  the  place  above  mentioned,  there  to  remain 
until  he  could  be  conveyed  to  Oung-pen-la.  In  the 
meantime  the  governor  of  the  north  gate  presented  a 
petition  to  the  high  court  of  the  empire,  offered  himself 
as  Mr.  Judson's  security,  obtained  his  release,  and  took 
him  to  his  house,  where  he  treated  him  with  considerable 
kindness,  and  to  which  I  was  removed  as  soon  as  return- 
inoj  health  would  allow. 

The  advance  of  the  English  army  towards  the  capital, 
at  this  time  threw  the  whole  town  into  the  greatest  state 
of  alarm,  and  convinced  the  government  that  some  speedy 
measures  must  be  taken  to  save  the  golden  city.  They 
had  hitherto  rejected  all  the  overtures  of  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell,  imagining,  until  this  late  period,  that  they 
could  in  some  way  or  other  drive  the  English  from  the 
country.  Mr.  Judson  and  Dr.  Price  were  daily  called 
to  the  palace  and  consulted;  in  fact  nothing  was  done 
without  their  approbation.  Two  English  officers,  also, 
who  had  lately  been  brought  to  Ava  as  prisoners,  were 
continually  consulted,  and  their  good  offices  requested  in 
endeavoring  to  persuade  the  British  general  to  make 
peace  on  easier  terms.  It  was  finally  concluded  that  Mr. 
Judson  and  one  of  the  officers  above  mentioned,  should  be 
sent  immediately  to  the  English  camp,  in  order  to  nego 


LIFE    OF    ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  167 

tiate.  The  danger  attached  to  a  situation  so  responsible, 
under  a  government  so  fickle  as  the  Burmese,  induced 
your  brother  to  use  every  means  to  prevent  his  being 
sent.  Dr.  Price  was  not  only  willing,  but  desirous  of 
going ;  this  circumstance  Mr.  Judson  represented  to  the 
members  of  government,  and  begged  he  might  not  be 
compelled  to  go,  as  Dr.  Price  could  transact  the  business 
equally  as  well  as  himself.  After  some  hesitation  and 
deliberation.  Dr.  Price  was  appointed  to  accompany  Dr. 
Sandford,  one  of  the  English  ofiicers,  on  condition  that 
Mr.  Judson  would  stand  security  for  his  return ;  while 
the  other  English  officer,  then  in  irons,  should  be  se- 
cm-ity  for  Dr.  Sandford.  The  king  gave  them  a  hundred 
tickals  each,  to  bear  their  expenses,  (twenty-five  of  which 
Dr.  Sandford  generously  sent  to  Mr.  Gouger,  still  a  prison- 
er at  Oung-pen-la, )  boats,  men,  and  a  Burmese  officer,  to 
accompany  them,  though  he  ventured  no  farther  than  the 
Burman  camp.  With  the  most  anxious  solicitude  the 
court  waited  the  arrival  of  the  messengers,  but  did  not 
in  the  least  relax  in  their  exertions  to  fortify  the  city. 
Men  and  beasts  were  at  work  night  and  day,  making 
new  stockades  and  strengthening  old  ones,  and  what- 
ever buildings  were  in  their  way  were  immediately  torn 
down.  Our  house  with  all  that  surrounded  it,  was 
levelled  to  the  ground,  and  our  beautiful  little  compound 
turned  into  a  road  and  a  place  for  the  erection  of  cannon. 
All  articles  of  value  were  conveyed  out  of  town  and 
safely  deposited  in  some  other  place. 

At  length  the  boat,  in  which  the  ambassadors  had 
been  sent,  was  seen  approaching  a  day  earlier  than 
was    expected.     As   it  advanced  towards  the   city,  the 


1G8  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

banks  were  lined  bj  thousands,  anxiously  inquiring  their 
success.  But  no  answer  was  given — the  government 
must  jSrst  hear  the  news.  The  palace  gates  were  crowded, 
the  officers  at  the  Loot-dau  were  seated,  when  Dr.  Price 
made  the  following  communication  :  "  The  general  and 
commissioners  will  make  no  alteration  in  their  terms, 
except  the  hundred  lacks  (a  lack  is  a  hundred  thousand) 
of  rupees,  may  be  paid  at  four  different  times.  The  first 
twenty-five  lacks  to  be  paid  within  twelve  days,  or  the 
army  will  continue  their  march.  "  In  addition  to  this,  the 
prisoners  were  to  be  given  up  immediately.  The  general 
had  commissioned  Dr.  Price  to  demand  Mr.  Judson  and 
myself  and  little  Maria.  This  was  communicated  to  the 
king,  who  replied,  "  They  are  not  English,  they  are 
my  people,  and  shall  not  go.  "  At  this  time  I  had  no 
idea  that  we  should  ever  be  released  from  Ava.  The 
government  had  learned  the  value  of  your  orother's 
services,  having  employed  him  the  last  three  months  ;  and 
we  both  concluded  they  would  never  consent  to  our  de- 
parture. The  foreigners  were  again  called  to  a  consul- 
tation, to  see  what  could  be  done.  Dr.  Price  and  Mr. 
Judson  told  them  plainly  that  the  English  would  never 
make  peace  on  any  other  terms  than  those  offered,  and 
that  it  was  in  vain  to  go  down  again  without  the  money. 
It  was  then  proposed  that  a  third  part  of  the  first  sum 
demanded  should  be  sent  down  immediately.  Mr.  Jud- 
son objected,  and  still  said  it  would  be  useless.  Some 
of  the  members  of  government  then  intimated  that  it 
"was  probable  the  teachers  were  on  the  side  of  the  Eng- 
lish, and  did  not  try  to  make  them   take  a  smaller  sum ; 


LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  169 

and  also  threatened  if  thev  did  not  make  the  English 
comply,  they  and  their  families  should  suffer. 

In  this  interval,  the  fears  of  the  government  were 
considerably  allayed  by  the  offers  of  a  general,  by  name 
Layar-thoo-yah,  who  desired  to  make  one  more  attempt 
to  conquer  the  English,  and  disperse  them.  He  assured 
the  king  and  government,  that  he  could  so  fortify  the 
ancient  city  of  Pagan,  as  to  make  it  impregnable ;  and 
that  he  would  there  defeat  and  destroy  the  English.  His 
offers  were  heard,  he  marched  to  Pagan,  with  a  very  con- 
siderable force,  and  made  strong  the  fortifications.  But 
the  English  took  the  city  with  perfect  ease,  and  dispersed 
the  Burmese  army;  while  the  general  fled  to  Ava,  and  had 
the  presumption  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  the  king,  and 
demand  new  troops.  The  king  being  enraged  that  he  had 
ever  listened  to  him  for  a  moment,  in  consequence  of  which 
the  negotiation  had  been  delayed,  the  English  General 
provoked,  and  the  troops  daily  advancing,  that  he  or- 
dered the  general  to  be  immediately  executed !  The 
poor  fellow  was  soon  hurled  from  the  palace,  and  beat 
all  the  way  to  the  court-house — when  he  was  stripped  of 
his  rich  apparel,  bound  with  cords,  and  made  to  kneel 
and  bow  towards  the  palace.  He  was  then  delivered 
into  the  hands  of  the  executioners,  who,  by  their  cruel 
treatmenr,  put  an  end  to  his  existence  before  they 
reached  the  place  of  execution. 

The  king  caused  it  to  be  reported  that  this  general 
was  executed  in  consequence  of  disobeying  his  commands, 
*-'Not  to  fig  Jit  the  Unglish." 

Dr.  Price  was  sent  off  the  same  night,  with  part  of 
the   prisoners,  and  with   instructions   to    persuade   the 


170  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

general  to  take  six  lacks  instead  of  twenty-five.  He 
returned  in  two  or  three  days  with  the  appalling  intelli- 
gence that  the  English  General  was  very  angry,  refused 
to  have  any  communication  with  him,  and  was  now  within 
a  few  days'  march  of  the  capital.  The  queen  was 
greatly  alarmed,  and  said  the  money  should  be  raised 
immediately  if  the  English  would  only  stop  their  march. 
The  whole  palace  was  in  motion,  gold  and  silver  vessels 
were  melted  up,  the  king  and  queen  superintended  the 
weighing  of  a  part  of  it,  and  were  determined  if  possible 
to  save  their  city.  The  silver  was  ready  in  the  boats 
by  the  next  evening ;  but  they  had  so  little  confidence 
in  the  English  that,  after  all  their  alarm,  they  concluded 
to  send  down  six  lacks  only,  with  the  assurance  that  if 
the  English  would  stop  where  they  then  were,  the  re- 
mainder should  be  forthcoming  immediately. 

The  government  now  did  not  even  ask  Mr.  Judsou 
the  question  whether  he  would  go  or  not ;  but  some  of 
the  ofiicers  took  him  by  the  arm,  as  he  was  walking  in 
the  street,  and  told  him  he  must  go  immediately  on  board 
the  boat,  to  accompany  two  Burmese  officers,  a  Woon- 
gyee  and  Woondouk,  who  were  going  down  to  make 
peace.  Most  of  the  English  prisoners  were  sent  at  the 
same  time.  The  general  and  commissioners  would  not 
receive  the  six  lacks,  neither  would  they  stop  their 
march ;  but  promised,  if  the  sum  complete  reached  them 
before  they  should  arrive  at  Ava,  they  would  make  peace. 
The  general  also  commissioned  Mr.  Judson  to  collect  the 
remaining  foreigners,  of  whatever  country,  and  ask  the 
question  before  the  Burmese  government,  whether  they 
wished  to  go  or  stay.     Those  who  expressed  a  wish  to  go 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  171 

should  be  delivered  up  immediately  or  peace  would  not 
be  made. 

Mr.  Judson  reached  Ava  at  midnight ;  had  all  the  for- 
eigners called  the  next  morning,  and  the  question  asked. 
Some  of  the  members  of  government  said  to  him,  "  You 
will  not  leave  us — you  shall  become  a  great  man  if  you 
will  remain."  He  then  secured  himself  from  the  odium 
of  saying  that  he  wished  to  leave  the  service  of  his 
majesty,  by  recurring  to  the  order  of  Sir  Archibald,  that 
whoever  wished  to  leave  Ava  should  be  given  up,  and 
that  I  had  expressed  a  wish  to  go,  so  that  he  of  course 
must  follow.  The  remaining  part  of  the  twenty-five 
lacks  was  soon  collected ;  the  prisoners  at  Oung-pen-la 
were  all  released,  and  either  sent  to  their  houses  or 
down  the  river  to  the  English ;  and  in  two  days  from 
the  time  of  Mr.  Judson's  return,  we  took  an  affectionate 
leave  of  the  good  natured  officer  who  had  so  long  en- 
tertained us  at  his  house,  and  who  now  accompanied  us 
to  the  water  side,  and  we  then  left  forever  the  banks  of 
Ava. 

It  was  on  a  cool,  moonlight  evening,  in  the  month  of 
March,  that,  with  hearts  filled  with  gratitude  to  God, 
and  overflowing  with  joy  at  our  prospects,  we  passed 
down  the  Irrawaddy,  surrounded  by  six  or  eight  golden 
boats,  and  accompanied  by  all  we  had  on  earth.  The 
thought  that  we  had  still  to  pass  the  Burman  camp, 
would  sometimes  occur  to  damp  our  joy,  for  we  feared 
that  some  obstacle  might  there  arise  to  retard  our  pro- 
gress. Nor  were  we  mistaken  in  our  conjectures.  We 
reached  the  camp  about  midnight,  where  we  were  de- 
tained two  hours ;  the  Woongyee,  and  high  officers,  in- 


172  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

sisting  that  we  should  wait  at  the  camp  while  Dr.  Price, 
(who  lid  not  return  to  Ava  with  your  brother,  but  re- 
mained at  the  camp,)  should  go  on  with  the  money,  and 
first  ascertain  whether  peace  Avould  be  made.  The  Bur- 
mese government  still  entertained  the  idea  that  as  soon 
as  the  English  had  received  the  money  and  prisoners, 
they  would  continue  their  march  and  yet  destroy  the 
capital.  We  knew  not  but  that  some  circumstance  might 
occur  to  break  off"  the  negotiations ;  Mr.  Judson  there- 
fore strenuously  insisted  that  he  would  not  remain,  but 
go  on  immediately.  The  officers  were  finally  prevailed 
on  to  consent,  hoping  much  from  Mr.  Judson's  assistance 
in  making  peace. 

We  now,  for  the  first  time,  for  more  than  a  year  and 
a  half,  felt  that  we  were  free,  and  no  longer  subject  to 
the  oppressive  yoke  of  the  Burmese.  And  with  what 
sensations  of  delight,  on  the  next  morning,  did  I  behold 
the  masts  of  the  steam-boat,  the  sure  presage  of  being 
within  the  bounds  of  civilized  life.  As  soon  as  our  boat 
reached  the  shore.  Brigadier  A.  and  another  officer  came 
on  board,  congratulated  us  on  our  arrival,  and  invited  us 
on  board  the  steam-boat,  where  I  passed  the  remainder 
of  the  day,  while  your  brother  went  on  to  meet  the 
general,  who,  with  a  detachment  of  the  army,  had  en- 
camped at  Yandabo,  a  few  miles  further  down  the  river. 
Mr.  Judson  returned  in  the  evening  with  an  invitation 
from  Sir  Archibald,  to  come  immediately  to  his  quarters, 
where  I  was  the  next  morning  introduced,  and  received 
with  the  greatest  kindness  by  the  general,  who  had  a 
tent  pitched  for  us  near  his  own — took  us  to  his  own 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  173 

table,  and  treated  us  with  the  kindness  of  a  father,  rather 
than  as  strangers  of  another  country. 

We  feel  that  our  obligations  to  General  Campbell  can 
never  be  canceled.  Our  final  release  from  Ava,  and 
our  recovering  all  the  property  that  had  there  been  taken 
was  owing  entirely  to  his  efforts.  This  subsequent  hos- 
pitality, and  kind  attention  to  the  accommodations  for 
our  passage  to  Rangoon,  have  left  an  indelible  impres- 
sion on  our  minds,  which  can  never  be  forgotten.  We 
daily  received  the  congratulation  of  the  British  officers, 
whose  conduct  towards  us  formed  a  striking  contrast  to 
that  of  the  Burmese.  I  presume  to  say  that  no  persons 
on  earth  were  ever  happier  than  we  were  during  the  fort- 
night we  passed  at  the  English  camp.  For  several  days 
this  single  idea  wholly  occupied  my  mind,  that  we  were 
out  of  the  power  of  the  Burmese  government,  and  once 
more  under  the  protection  of  the  English.  Our  feelings 
continually  dictated  expressions  like  these  : —  What  shall 
we  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  toward  us  ! 

The  treaty  of  peace  was  soon  concluded,  signed  by 
both  parties,  and  a  termination  of  hostilities  publicly  de- 
clared. We  left  Yandabo,  after  a  fortnight's  residence, 
and  safely  reached  the  mission-house  in  Rangoon,  after 
an  absence  of  two  years  and  three  months. 

A  review  of  our  trip  to,  and  adventures  in  Ava,  often 
excites  the  inquiry.  Why  were  we  permitted  to  go? 
What  good  has  been  effected  ?  Why  did  I  not  listen  to 
the  advice  of  friends  in  Bengal,  and  remain  there  till 
the  war  was  concluded  ?  But  all  that  we  can  say  is,  It 
is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps.  So  far  as 
my  going  round  to  Rangoon,  at  the  time  I  did,  was  in- 


174  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

strumental  in  bringing  those  heavy  afflictions  upon  us,  I 
can  only  state,  that  if  I  ever  acted  from  a  sense  of  duty 
in  my  life,  it  was  at  that  time ;  for  my  conscience  would 
not  allow  me  any  peace  when  I  thought  of  sending  for 
your  brother  to  come  to  Calcutta,  in  prospect  of  the  ap- 
proaching war.  Our  society  at  home  have  lost  no  pro- 
perty in  consequence  of  our  difficulties ;  but  two  years 
of  precious  time  have  been  lost  to  the  mission,  unless 
some  future  advantage  may  be  gained,  in  consequence 
of  the  severe  discipline  to  which  we  ourselves  have  been 
subject.  We  are  sometimes  induced  to  think  that  the 
lesson  we  found  so  very  hard  to  learn  will  have  a  benefi- 
cial efi'ect  through  our  lives ;  and  that  the  mission  may, 
in  the  end,  be  advanced  rather  than  retarded. 

We  should  have  had  no  hesitation  about  remaining  in 
Ava  if  no  part  of  the  Burmese  empire  had  been  ceded 
to  the  British.  But,  as  it  was,  we  felt  it  would  be  an 
unnecessary  exposure,  besides  the  missionary  field  being 
much  more  limited,  in  consequence  of  intoleration.  We 
now  consider  our  future  missionary  prospects  as  bright, 
indeed ;  and  our  only  anxiety  is  to  be  once  more  in  that 
situation  where  our  time  will  be  exclusively  devoted  to 
the  instruction  of  the  heathen. 

The  following  tribute  to  Mrs.  Judson,  written  by  one 
of  Mr.  Judson's  companions  in  captivity,  an  Englishman, 
it  is  due  to  her  memory  to  introduce  here  ; 

"  Mrs.  Judson  was  the  author  of  those  eloquent  and 
forcible  appeals  to  the  government,  which  prepared  them 
by  degrees  for  submission  to  terms  of  peace,  never  ex- 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  175 

pected  by  any,  who  knew  the  hauteur  and  inflexible  pride 
of  the  Burman  court. 

"  And  while  on  this  subject,  the  overflowings  of  grate- 
ful feelings,  on  behalf  of  myself  and  fellow  prisoners, 
compel  me  to  add  a  tribute  of  public  thanks  to  that  amiable 
and  humane  female,  who,  though  living  at  a  distance  of 
two  miles  from  our  prison,  without  any  means  of  con- 
veyaDce,  and  very  feeble  in  health,  forgot  her  own  com- 
fort and  infirmity,  and  almost  every  day  visited  us,  sought 
out  and  administered  to  our  wants,  and  contributed  in 
every  way  to  alleviate  our  misery. 

"  While  we  w^ere  all  left  by  the  government  destitute 
of  food,  she,  with  unwearied  perseverance,  by  some  means 
or  other,  obtained  for  us  a  constant  supply. 

"  When  the  tattered  state  of  our  clothes  evinced  the 
extremity  of  our  distress,  she  was  ever  ready  to  replen- 
ish our  scanty  wardrobe. 

''  When  the  unfeeling  avarice  of  our  keepers  confined 
us  inside,  or  made  our  feet  fast  in  the  stocks,  she,  like  a 
ministering  angel,  never  ceased  her  applications  to  the 
government,  until  she  was  authorized  to  communicate  to 
us  the  grateful  news  of  our  enlargement,  or  of  a  respite 
from  our  galling  oppressions. 

"  Besides  all  this,  it  was  unquestionably  owing  in  a 
chief  degree,  to  the  repeated  eloquence,  and  forcible  ap- 
peals of  Mrs.  Judson,  that  the  untutored  Burman  was 
finally  made  willing  to  secure  the  welfare  and  happiness 
of  his  country,  by  a  sincere  peace.  " 


176  LIFE   OF  A]SN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON. 


CHAPTER  X. 

DEATH  OF  MRS.  JUDSON  AND  HER  DAUGHTER. 

Although  the  terrible  sufferings  through  which  the 
Missionaries  had  passed  were  sufficient  to  appal  the 
stoutest  heart,  their  love  for  the  Burmans  and  their  de- 
votion to  the  missionary  cause  continued  unabated.  They 
prepared,  full  of  renewed  hope,  for  a  removal  to  a  new  field 
of  labour,  Amherst.  Mr.  Judson  writes  to  the  corres- 
ponding secretary. 

Rangoon,  July  31s^,  1826, 

Rev.  and  dear  Sir: 

At  the  date  of  my  last  letter,  I  was  waiting  for  an 
opportunity  of  removing  to  Amherst.  Since  then,  the 
commissioner,  Mr.  Crawford,  who  is  appointed  to  nego- 
tiate a  secondary  treaty  with  the  court  of  Ava,  renewed 
his  proposal  for  me  to  accompany  the  embassy,  and 
pledged  himself,  in  case  of  my  complying,  to  use  his  in- 
terest to  procure  the  insertion  of  an  article  in  the  treaty, 
favorable  to  religious  toleration — an  object  which  I  have 
had  at  heart  for  so  many  years,  and  which,  though  now 
on  account  of  the  opening  in   the   south  provinces,  not 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  I'^T 

SO  necessary  as  formerly,  yet  greatly  favourable  to  the 
gradual  introduction  of  religion,  into  all  parts  of  the 
country,  from  the  station  which  we  propose  occupying. 
With  these  views,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  accept  the 
offer.  Desirous,  however,  of  making  a  commencement 
in  the  new  place,  as  early  as  possible,  and  unwilling  to 
disappoint  the  native  converts,  who  had  left  this,  in  the  full 
expectation  of  our  immediately  following  them,  I  accom- 
panied Mrs.  Judson  and  family  thither,  in  the  end  of 
last  month,  and  after  seeing  them  comfortably  settled, 
in  a  temporary  house  belonging  to  Captain  Fenwick, 
Civil  Superintendent  of  the  place,  which  he  kindly  va- 
cated for  Mrs.  Judson's  accommodation,  I  returned  to 
Rangoon  the  9th  inst.  The  embassy  will  leave  this  for 
Ava,  on  the  receipt  of  final  orders  from  Bengal,  which 
are  daily  expected. 

During  Mr.  Judson's  absence  upon  this  errand,  Mrs. 
Judson,  the  noble  heroine,  whose  intrepid  and  lovmg 
care  had  been  his  solace  through  such  severe  afflict- 
ions, was  taken  ill  with  the  fatal  disorder  which  termi- 
nated her  life,  October,  24th,  1826.  In  a  strange  land, 
with  the  husband  for  whose  sake  she  had  faced  so  many 
perils,  away  from  relatives  and  home,  she  died,  leaving  a 
deathless  fame,  and  an  example  to  her  countrywomen 
that  can  never  fade  or  be  forgotten. 

Mr.  Judson's  letter  to  Mrs.  Judson's  mother,  contains 
the  fullest  account  of  her  illness  and  death.     I  quote  it 
entire. 
12 


178       .         LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

TO   MRS.    HASSELTINE    OF   BRADFORD,    MASS. 

AvA,  December  7th,  1826. 
Dear  Mother  Hasseltine: — 

This  letter,  though  intended  for  the  whole  family^  1 
address  particularly  to  you ;  for  it  is  a  mother's  heart 
that  will  be  most  deeply  interested  in  its  melancholy  de- 
tails. I  propose  to  give  you,  at  different  times,  some 
account  of  my  great  irreparable  loss,  of  which  you  will 
have  heard  before  receiving  this  letter. 

I  left  your  daughter,  my  beloved  wife,  at  Amherst, 
the  5th.  of  July  last,  in  good  health,  comfortably  situ- 
ated, happy  in  being  out  of  the  reach  of  our  savage 
oppressors,  and  animated  in  prospect  of  a  field  of  mis- 
sionary labor  opening  under  the  auspices  of  British  pro- 
tection. It  affords  me  some  comfort  that  she  not  only 
consented  to  my  leaving  her,  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
the  present  embassy  to  Ava,  but  uniformly  gave  her 
advice  in  favor  of  the  measure,  whenever  I  hesitated  con- 
cerning my  duty.  Accordingly  I  left  her.  On  the  5th 
of  July,  1  saw  her  for  the  last  time.  Our  parting  waa 
much  less  painful  than  many  others  had  been.  We  had 
been  preserved  through  so  many  trials  and  vicissitudes, 
that  a  separation  of  three  or  four  months,  attended  with 
no  hazards  to  either  party,  seemed  a  light  thing.  We 
parted,  therefore,  with  cheerful  hearts,  confident  of  a 
speedy  reunion,  and  indulging  fond  anticipations  of  future 
years  of  domestic  happiness.  After  my  return  to  Ran- 
goon, and  subsequent  arrival  at  Ava,  I  received  several 
letters  from  her,  written  in  her  usual  style,  and  exhibit- 
mg  no  subject  of  regret  or  apprehension,  except  the  de- 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  179 

dining  health  of  our  little  daughter,  Maria.  Her  last 
was  dated  the  14th  of  September.  She  says,  "  I  have 
this  day  moved  into  the  new  house,  and,  for  the  first 
time  since  we  were  broken  up  at  Ava,  feel  myself  at 
home.  The  house  is  large  and  convenient,  and  if  you 
were  here  I  should  feel  quite  happy.  The  native  popu- 
lation is  increasing  very  fast,  and  things  wear  rather  a 
favorable  aspect.  Moung  Ing's  school  has  commenced 
with  ten  scholars,  and  more  are  expected.  Poor  little 
Maria  is  still  feeble.  I  sometimes  hope  she  is  getting 
better ;  then  again  she  declines  to  her  former  weakness. 
When  I  ask  her  where  papa  is,  she  always  starts  up,  and 
points  towards  the  sea.  The  servants  behave  very  well, 
and  I  have  no  trouble  about  anything,  excepting  you  and 
Maria.  Pray  take  care  of  yourself,  particularly  as  it 
regards  the  intermittent  fever  at  Ava.  May  God  pre- 
serve and  bless  you,  and  restore  you  in  safety  to  your 
new  and  old  home,  is  the  prayer  of  your  affectionate 
Ann." 

On  the  3d  of  October,  Captain  F.,  civil  superinten- 
dent of  Amherst,  writes,  "  Mrs.  Judson  is  extremely 
well."  Why  she  did  not  write  herself,  by  the  same  op- 
portunity, I  know  not.  On  the  18th,  the  same  gentle- 
man writes,  "I  can  hardly  think  it  right  to  tell  you  that 
Mrs.  Judson  has  had  an  attack  of  fever,  as  before  this 
reaches  you,  she  will,  I  sincerely  trust,  be  quite  well,  as 
it  has  not  been  so  severe  as  to  reduce  her.  This  was 
occasioned  by  too  close  attendance  on  the  child.  How- 
ever, her  cares  have  been  rewarded  in  a  most  extraordi- 
nary manner,  as  the  poor  babe  at  one  time  was  so 
reduced  that  no  rational  hope  could  be  entertained  of  its 


180  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

recovery ;  but  at  present,  a  most  favorable  cbange  has 
taken  place,  and  she  has  improved  wonderfully.  Mrs. 
Judson  had  no  fever  last  night,  so  that  the  intermission 
is  now  complete."  The  tenor  of  this  letter  was  such  as 
to  make  my  mind  quite  easy,  both  as  it  regarded  the 
mother  and  the  child.  My  next  communication  was  a 
letter  with  a  black  seal,  handed  me  by  a  person,  saying 
he  was  sorry  to  have  to  inform  me  of  the  death  of  the 
child.  I  know  not  whether  this  was  a  mistake  on  his 
part,  or  kindly  intended  to  prepare  my  mind  for  the  real 
intelligence.  I  went  into  my  room,  and  opened  the  let- 
ter with  feelings  of  gratitude  and  joy,  that  at  any  rate 
the  mother  was  spared.  It  was  from  Mr.  B.,  assistant 
superintendent  of  Amherst,  dated  the  26th  of  October, 
and  began  thus  : — 

"  My  dear  Sir  : — To  one  who  has  suffered  so  much, 
and  with  such  exemplary  fortitude,  there  needs  but  little 
preface  to  tell  a  tale  of  distress.  It  were  cruel  indeed, 
to  torture  you  with  doubt  and  suspense.  To  sum  up  the 
unhappy  tidings  in  a  few  words,  Mrs.  Judson  is  no 
more.'' 

At  intervals,  I  got  through  with  the  dreadful  letter, 
and  proceed  to  give  you  the  substance  as  indelibly  engraven 
on  my  heart : — 

"  Early  in  the  month,  she  was  attacked  with  a  most 
violent  fever.  From  the  first,  she  felt  a  strong  present- 
iment that  she  should  not  recover,  and  on  the  24th,  about 
eight  in  the  evening,  she  expired.     Dr.  R.  was  quite 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  181 

assiduous  in  his  attentions,  both  as  friend  and  physician. 
Captain  F.,  procured  her  the  services  of  a  European 
woman  from  the  4oth  regiment ;  and  be  assured,  all  was 
done  that  could  be  done  to  comfort  her  in  her  sufferings, 
and  to  smooth  the  passage  to  the  grave.  We  all  deeply 
feel  the  loss  of  this  excellent  lady,  whose  shortness  of 
residence  among  us  was  yet  sufficiently  long  to  impress 
us  with  a  deep  sense  of  her  worth  and  virtues.  It  was 
not  until  about  the  20th  that  Dr.  R.  began  seriously  to 
suspect  danger.  Before  that  period,  the  fever  had 
abated  at  intervals  ;  but  its  last  approach  baffled  all  med- 
ical skill.  On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  Mrs.  Judson 
spoke  for  the  last  time.  The  disease  had  then  completed 
its  conquest,  and  from  that  time  up  to  the  moment  of 
dissolution,  she  lay  nearly  motionless,  and  apparently 
quite  insensible.  Yesterday  morning  I  assisted  in  the 
last  melancholy  office  of  putting  her  mortal  remains  in 
the  coffin,  and  in  the  evening  her  funeral  was  attended 
by  all  the  European  officers  now  resident  here.  We  have 
buried  her  near  the  spot  where  she  first  landed,  and  I 
have  put  up  a  small,  rude  fence  around  the  grave,  to  pro- 
tect it  from  incautious  intrusions.  Your  little  girl,  Maria, 
is  much  better.  Mrs.  W.  has  taken  charge  of  her,  and 
I  hope  she  will  continue  to  thrive  under  her  care." 

Two  days  later.  Captain  Fenwick  writes  thus  to  a 
friend  in  Rangoon  : — 

"  I  trust  that  you  will  be  able  to  find  means  to  inform 
our  friend  of  the  dreadful  loss  he  has  suffered.  Mrs. 
Judson  had  slight  attacks  of  fever  from  the  8th  or  9th 


182  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

instant,  but  we  had  no  reason  to  apprehend  the  fatal 
result.  I  saw  her  on  the  18th,  and  at  that  time,  she  was 
free  from  fever,  scarcely,  if  at  all,  reduced.  I  was 
obliged  to  go  up  the  country  on  a  sudden  business,  and 
did  not  hear  of  her  danger  until  my  return  on  the  24tli, 
on  which  day  she  breathed  her  last,  at  8  P.  M.  I  shall 
not  attempt  to  give  you  an  account  of  the  gloom  which 
the  death  of  this  most  amiable  woman  has  thrown  over 
our  small  society.  You,  who  were  so  well  acquainted 
with  her,  must  feel  her  loss  more  deeply ;  but  we  had 
just  known  her  long  enough  to  value  her  acquaintance 
as  a  blessing  in  this  remote  corner.  I  dread  the  effect 
it  will  have  on  poor  Judson.  I  am  sure  that  you  will 
take  every  care  that  this  mournful  intelligence  may  be 
opened  to  him  as  carefully  as  possible." 

The  only  other  communication  on  this  subject,  that 
has  reached  me,  is  the  following  line  from  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell,  to  the  envoy :  "  Poor  Judson  will  be  dread- 
fully distressed  at  the  loss  of  his  good  and  amiable  wife. 
She  died  the  other  day  at  Amherst,  of  remittent  fever, 
eighteen  days  ill." 

You  perceive  that  I  have  no  account  whatever  of  the  state 
of  her  mind,  in  view  of  death  and  eternity,  or  of  her 
wishes  concerning  her  darling  babe,  whom  she  loved 
most  intensely.  I  hope  to  glean  some  information  on 
these  points  from  the  physician  who  attended  her,  and 
the  native  converts  who  must  have  been  occasionally 
present. 

I  will  not  trouble  you,  my  dear  mother,  with  an  account 
of  my   own  private  feelings — the  bitter,  heart-rending 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON.  183 

anguish,  which  for  some  days  "would  admit  of  no  mitiga- 
tion, and  the  comfort  which  the  gospel  subsequently 
afforded — the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  brings  life 
and  immortality  to  light.  Blessed  assurance — and  let 
us  apply  it  afresh  to  our  hearts — that,  while  I  am  wri- 
ting, and  you  perusing  these  lines,  her  spirit  is  resting 
and  rejoicing  in  the  heavenly  paradise, — 

"  Where  glories  shine,  and  pleasures  roll 
That  charm,  dehght,  transport  the  soul ; 
And  every  panting  wish  shall  be 
Possessed  of  boundless  bliss  in  thee." 

And  there,  my  dear  mother,  we  also  shall  soon  be, 
uniting  and  participating  in  the  felicities  of  heaven  with 
her  for  whom  we  now  mourn.  "  Amen.  Even  so,  come, 
Lord  Jesus." 

Amherst,  February  4,  1827. 

Amid  the  desolation  that  death  has  made,  I  take  up 
my  pen  once  more  to  address  the  mother  of  my  beloved 
Ann.  I  am  sitting  in  the  house  she  built,  in  the  room 
where  she  breathed  her  last,  and  at  a  window,  from 
which  I  see  the  tree  that  stands  at  the  head  of  her 
grave,  and  the  top  of  the  "small  rude  fence"  which 
they  have  put  up  "  to  protect  it  from  incautious  intru- 
sion." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wade  are  living  in  the  house,  having 
arrived  here  about  a  month  after  Ann's  death ;  and  Mrs. 
Wade  has  taken  charge  of  my  poor  motherless  Maria. 
I  was  unable  to  get  any  accounts  of  the  child  at  Ran- 
goon ;  and  it  was  only  on  my  arriving  here,  the  24tn 


184  LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE    JUDSON. 

ultimo,  that  I  learned  that  she  was  still  alive.  Mr. 
Wade  met  me  at  the  landing  place,  and  as  I  passed  on 
to  the  house,  one  and  another  of  the  native  Christiana 
came  out,  and  when  they  saw  me  they  began  to  weep. 
At  length  we  reached  the  house ;  and  I  almost  expected 
to  see  my  love  coming  out  to  meet  me,  as  usual.  But 
no ;  I  saw  only,  in  the  arms  of  Mrs.  Wade,  a  poor  little 
puny  child,  who  could  not  recognize  her  weeping  father, 
and  from  whose  infant  mind  had  long  been  erased  all 
recollection  of  the  mother  who  loved  her  so  much. 

She  turned  away  from  me  in  alarm,  and  I,  obliged  to 
seek  comfort  elsewhere,  found  my  way  to  the  grave. 
But  who  ever  obtained  comfort  there  ?  Thence  I  went 
to  the  house,  in  which  I  left  her,  and  looked  at  the  spot 
where  we  last  knelt  in  prayer,  and  where  we  exchanged 
the  parting  kiss. 

The  doctor  who  attended  her  has  removed  to  another 
station,  and  the  only  information  I  can  obtain  is  such  as 
the  native  Christians  are  able  to  communicate. 

It  seems  that  her  head  was  much  affected  during  her 
last  days,  and  she  said  but  little.  She  sometimes  com- 
plained thus  :  ''  The  teacher  is  long  in  coming  ;  and  the 
new  missionaries  are  long  in  coming ;  I  must  die  alone, 
and  leave  my  little  one ;  but,  as  it  is  the  will  of  God,  I 
acquiesce  in  his  will.  I  am  not  afraid  of  death,  but  I 
am  afraid  I  shall  not  be  able  to  bear  these  pains.  Tell 
the  teacher  that  the  disease  was  most  violent,  and  I  could 
not  write ;  tell  him  how  I  suffered  and  died ;  tell  him  all 
that  you  see ;  and  take  care  of  the  house  and  things 
until  he  returns."  When  she  was  unable  to  notice  any- 
thing else,  she  would    still   call   the  child  to  her,  and 


LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE  JUDSON.  185 

charge  the  nurse  to  be  kind  to  it,  and  indulge  it  in  every- 
thing until  its  father  shall  return.  The  last  day  or  two, 
she  lay  almost  senseless  and  motionless,  on  one  side,  her 
head  reclining  on  her  arm,  her  eyes  closed  ;  and  at  eight 
in  the  evening,  with  one  exclamation  of  distress,  in  the 
Burmese  language,  she  ceased  to  breathe. 

Feb.  7.  I  have  been  on  a  visit  to  the  physician  who 
attended  her  in  her  illness.  He  has  the  character  of  a 
kind,  attentive,  and  skillful  practitioner;  and  his  com- 
munications to  me  have  been  rather  consoling.  I  am 
now  convinced  that  everything  possible  was  done,  and 
that,  had  I  been  present  myself,  I  could  not  have  essen- 
tially contributed  to  avert  the  fatal  termination  of  the 
disease.  The  doctor  was  with  her  twice  a  day,  and  fre- 
quently spent  the  greater  part  of  the  night  by  her  side. 
He  says  that,  from  the  first  attack  of  the  fever  she  was 
persuaded  she  should  not  recover ;  but  that  her  mind 
was  uniformly  tranquil  and  happy  in  the  prospect  of 
death.  She  only  expressed  occasional  regret  at  leaving 
her  child,  and  the  native  Christian  schools,  before  her 
husband,  or  another  missionary  family  could  arrive. 
The  last  two  days  she  was  free  from  pain.  On  her  at- 
tention being  roused  by  reiterated  questions,  she  replied, 
"  I  feel  quite  well,  only  very  weak."  These  were  her 
last  words. 

The  doctor  is  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  fatal  ter- 
mination of  the  fever  is  not  to  be  ascribed  to  the  locali- 
ties of  the  new  settlement,  but  chiefly  to  the  weakness 
of  her  constitution,  occasioned  by  the  severe  privations 
and  long-protracted  suiferings  she  endured  at  Ava.  Oh, 
with  what  meekness,  and  patience,  and   magnanimity, 


186  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

and  Christian  fortitude,  she  bore  those  sufferings !  And 
can  I  wish  they  liad  been  less  ?  Can  I  sacrilegiously 
wish  to  rob  her  crown  of  a  single  gem  ?  Much  she  saw  and 
Buffered  of  the  evil  of  this  evil  world,  and  eminently  was 
she  qualified  to  relish  and  enjoy  the  pure  and  holy  rest 
into  which  she  has  entered.  True,  she  has  been  taken 
from  a  sphere  in  which  she  was  singularly  qualified,  by 
her  natural  disposition,  her  winning  manners,  her  devoted 
zeal,  and  her  perfect  acquaintance  with  the  language,  to 
be  extensively  serviceable  to  the  cause  of  Christ ;  true, 
she  has  been  torn  from  her  husband's  bleeding  heart,  and 
from  her  darling  babe;  but  infinite  wisdom  and  love  have 
presided,  as  ever,  in  this  most  afflicting  dispensation. 
Faith  decides  that  it  is  all  right,  and  the  decision  of  faith 
eternity  will  soon  confirm. 

I  have  only  time  to  add — for  I  am  writing  in  great 
naste,  with  very  short  notice  of  the  present  opportunity 
of  sending  to  Bengal — that  poor  little  Maria,  though 
very  feeble,  is,  I  hope,  recovering  from  her  long  illness. 
She  began,  indeed,  to  recover,  while  under  the  care  of 
the  lady  who  kindly  took  charge  of  her,  at  her  mother's 
death ;  but  when,  after  Mr.  Wade's  arrival,  she  was 
brought  back  to  this  house,  she  seemed  to  think  that  she 
had  returned  to  her  former  home,  and  had  found  in  Mrs. 
Wade  her  own  mother.  And  certainly  the  most  tender, 
affectionate  care  is  not  wanting  to  confirm  her  in  this 
idea. 

The  little  Maria  soon  followed  her  mother  to  her 
eternal  home.  Mr  Judson's  letter  to  his  mother-in-law- 
eays : 


LIFE   OF  ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  187 


TO    MRS.    HASSELTINE. 

Amherst,  April  26,  1827. 

Dear  Mother  Hasseltine  :  Mj  little  Maria  lies  b;y 
the  side  of  her  fond  mother.  The  complaint  to  which 
she  was  subject  several  months  proved  incurable.  She 
had  the  best  medical  advice ;  and  the  kind  care  of  Mrs. 
Wade  could  not  have  been,  in  any  respect,  exceeded  by 
that  of  her  own  mother.  But  all  our  efforts,  and 
prayers,  and  tears  could  not  propitiate  the  cruel  disease ; 
the  work  of  death  went  forward,  and  after  the  usual 
process,  excruciating  to  a  parent's  heart,  she  ceased  to 
breathe  on  the  24th  instant,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  aged 
two  yeavs  and  three  months.  We  then  closed  her  faded 
eyes,  and  bound  up  her  discolored  lips,  where  the  dark 
touch  of  death  first  appeared,  and  folded  her  little  hands 
on  her  cold  breast.  The  next  morning  we  made  her  last 
bed  in  the  small  enclosure  that  surrounds  her  mother's 
lonelv  grave.  Together  they  rest  in  hope,  under  the 
hope  tree,  (hopid^)  which  stands  at  the  head  of  the 
graves ;  and  together,  I  trust,  their  spirits  are  rejoicing 
after  a  short  separation  of  precisely  six  months. 

And  I  am  left  alone  in  the  wide  world.  My  own 
dear  family  I  have  buried ;  one  in  Rangoon,  and  two  in 
Amherst.  What  remains  for  me  but  to  hold  myself  in 
readiness  to  follow  the  dear  departed  to  that  blessed 
world, 

"  Where  my  best  friends,  my  kindred,  dwell, 
Where  God,  my  Saviour  reigns." 

I  remain,  my  dear  mother,  yours, 

A.  JuDSON. 


188  LIFE   OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

Before  closing  the  life  of  this  distinguished  woman,  I 
cannot  forbear  giving  a  quotation  from  Dr.  Wayland's 
Memoirs  of  Dr.  Judson,  as  showing  the  impression  made 
by  this  truly  lovely  woman  upon  a  British  officer : 

"A  British  officer,  Major  Calder  Campbell,  describing 
*  an  adventure  in  Ava,'  in  the  year  1826,  gives  a  beau- 
tiful and  affecting  description  of  Mrs.  Judson.  Major 
Campbell,  then  lieutenant,  when  descending  the  Irra- 
waddy  river  in  a  canoe  manned  by  Burmans,  was  at- 
tacked in  the  night,  while  asleep,  by  his  faithless  boat- 
men, and  severely  wounded  and  robbed.  When  waiting 
')n  the  beach  with  much  anxiety  and  distress  for  the 
passage  of  some  friendly  bark,  a  row  boat  was  seen  ap- 
proaching. 

"  Signals  of  distress  were  made,  and  a  skiff  sent  to  his 
assistance.     The  following  is  the  language  of  the  writer: 

*' '  We  were  taken  on  board.  My  eyes  first  rested  on 
the  thin,  attenuated  form  of  a  lady — a  white  lady  !  the 
first  white  woman  I  had  seen  for  more  than  a  year !  She 
was  standing  on  the  little  deck  of  the  row  boat,  leaning 
on  the  arm  of  a  sickly-looking  gentleman  w^ith  an  intel- 
lectual cast  of  countenance,  in  whom  I  at  once  recog- 
nized the  husband  or  the  brother. 

*' '  His  dress  and  bearing  pointed  him  out  as  a  mis- 
sionary. I  have  said  that  I  had  not  beheld  a  white  fe- 
male for  many  months ;  and  now  the  soothing  accents  of 
female  words  fell  upon  my  ears  like  a  household  hymn 
of  my  youth. 

" '  My  wound  was  tenderly  dressed,  my  head  bound  up, 
and  I  was  laid  upon  a  sofa  bed.  With  what  a  thankful 
heart  did  I  breathe  forth  a  blessing  on  these  kind  Sa- 


LIFE    OF   ANN    HASSELTINE   JUDSON.  189 

maritans !  With  what  delight  did  I  drink  in  the  mild, 
gentle  sounds  of  that  sweet  w^oman's  voice,  as  she  pressed 
me  to  recruit  my  strength  with  some  of  that  beverage 
"which  cheers,  but  not  inebriates  !''  She  was  seated  in 
a  large  sort  of  swinging  chair,  of  American  construe* 
tion,  in  which  her  slight,  emaciated,  but  graceful  form 
appeared  almost  ethereal.  Yet,  with  much  of  heaven, 
there  were  still  the  breathings  of  earthly  feeling  about 
her ;  for  at  her  feet  rested  a  babe,  a  little  wan  baby,  on 
which  her  eyes  often  turned  with  all  a  mother's  love ; 
and  gazing  frequently  upon  her  delicate  features,  with  a 
fond,  yet  fearful,  glance,  was  that  meek  missionary,  her 
husband.  Her  face  was  pale,  very  pale,  with  that  ex- 
pression of  deep  and  serious  thought  which  speaks  of 
the  strong  and  vigorous  mind  within  the  frail  and  perish- 
ing body ;  her  brown  hair  was  braided  over  a  placid  and 
holy  brow ;  but  her  hands — those  small,  lily  hands — 
were  quite  beautiful;  beautiful  they  w^ere,  and  very  wan  ; 
for  ah !  they  told  of  disease — of  death — death  in  all  its 
transparent  grace — when  the  sickly  blood  shines  through 
the  clear  skin,  even  as  the  bright  poison  lights  up  the 
Venetian  glass  which  it  is  about  to  shatter.  That  lady 
was  Mrs.  Judson,  whose  long  captivity  and  severe  hard- 
ships amongst  the  Burmese  have  since  been  detailed  in 
her  published  journals. 

" '  I  remained  two  days  with  them ;  two  delightful  days 
they  were  to  me.  Mrs.  Judson's  powers  of  conversation 
were  of  the  first  order,  and  the  many  alfecting  anecdotes 
that  she  gave  us  of  their  long  and  cruel  bondage,  their 
struggles  in  the  cause  of  religion,  and  their  adventures 
during  a  long  residence  at  the  court  of  Ava,  gained  a 


190      '  LIFE    OF   ANN   HASSELTINE   JUDSON. 

heightened  interest  from  the  beautiful,  energetic  sim- 
plicity of  her  language,  as  well  as  from  the  certainty  I 
felt  that  so  fragile  a  flower  as  she  in  very  truth  was,  had 
but  a  brief  season  to  linger  on  earth. 

" '  Why  is  it  that  we  grieve  to  think  of  the  approaching 
death  of  the  young,  the  virtuous,  the  ready  ?  Alas  !  it 
is  the  selfishness  of  human  nature  that  would  keep  to  it- 
self the  purest  and  sweetest  gifts  of  Heaven,  to  encoun- 
ter the  blasts  and  the  blights  of  a  world  where  we  see 
them,  rather  than  that  they  should  be  transplanted  to  a 
happier  region,  where  we  see  them  not. 

" '  When  I  left  the  kind  Judsons,  I  did  so  with  regret. 
When  I  looked  my  last  on  her  mild,  worn  countenance, 
as  she  issued  some  instructions  to  my  new  set  of  boat- 
men, I  felt  my  eyes  fill  with  prophetic  tears.  They 
were  not  perceived.  We  parted,  and  we  never  met 
again ;  nor  is  it  likely  that  the  wounded  subaltern  was 
ever  again  thought  of  by  those  who  had  succored  him. 
Mrs.  Judson  and  her  child  died  soon  after  the  cessation 
of  hostilities.'  '* 


LIFE    OF 

SARAH    B.    JUDSON, 


SECOND    WIFE    OP 


KEY.  ADONIEAM  JUDSON,  D.D. 


CHAPTER   I. 

BIRTH,   PARENTAGE,   AND   EARLY  LIFE. 

Sarah  B.  Judson,  n^e  Hall,  was  born  at  Alstead, 
New  Hampshire,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1803.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Ralph  and  Abia  Hall,  and  the  eldest 
of  thirteen  children.  The  discipline  in  habits  of  self- 
denial  which  was  so  invaluable  to  her  in  after  years,  com- 
menced with  early  childhood.  Her  parents  were  poor, 
and  upon  the  eldest  daughter  fell  the  task  of  assisting 
her  care-worn  mother  in  all  her  domestic  duties.  Evin- 
cing at  an  early  age  an  intellect  capable  of  the  highest 
cultivation,  she  was  forced,  by  the  iron  hand  of  poverty, 
to  attain  knowledge  through  her  own  habits  of  self-cul- 
ture, aided  by  but  little  instruction.  At  four  years  of 
age,  she  could  read,  and  that  knowledge  once  acquired, 
her  own  love  for  study,  and  active  mind,  led   her  on, 

step   hy  step,  in  the  path  of  knowledge.     Her  ready, 

191 


192  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

cheerful  willingness  to  assist  in  every  domestic  care,  as 
soon  as  her  tiny  hands  could  work,  made  her  too  valuable 
an  assistant  at  home,  to  be  easily  relinq^uished,  and,  find- 
ing her  time  thus  occupied,  and  feeliag  how  selfish  it 
would  be  to  desert  her  post  by  her  mother's  side,  even  to 
gain  the  knowledge  for  which  she  panted,  she  stayed  from 
school,  winter  after  winter,  studying  in  eijery  interval  of 
toil,  and  by  habits  of  perseverance  and iniustry,  gaining 
information  as  rapidly  as  her  companions  who  attended 
school. 

When  very  young,  Sarah  gave  strong  ev/idences  of  a 
religious  heart,  far  beyond  her  years.  Her  love  for  holy 
things  was  not  separate  from  every  day  life,  a  feeling  to 
be  indulged  in  on  Sunday,  and  forgotten  through  the 
week.  Every  thought,  every  action,  had  for  its  main 
spring,  the  desire  of  pleasing  God,  and  drawing  towards 
his  throne,  all  within  the  circle  of  her  influence.  When 
only  twelve  years  old,  she  writes  in  her  journal : 

"  To-morrow  will  be  the  day  which  is  called  Thanks- 
giving ;  but  I  have  some  fear  that  it  is  only  in  the  name, 
*  *  *  *  This  year,  I  will  try  to  be  truly  thankful 
and  not  forget  the  good  God  who  so  kindly  watches  over 
my  youthful  days." 

Another  love  of  her  early  years  was  for  poetry,  and 
the  two  ruling  passions  flow  beautifully  into  one..  Her 
verses,  written  at  an  early  age,  are  mostly  upon  spared 
subjects.  I  quote  her  versification  of  David's  Lar  "Tit 
over  Saul  and  Jonathan,  one  of  her  earliest  efibrts  :- 

The  beauty  of  Israel  for  ever  is  fled, 

And  low  are  the  noble  and  strong  ; 
Ye  children  of  music  encircle  the  dead, 

And  chant  the  funereal  song. 


LIPE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  193 

Oli,  speak  not  in  G-ath  of  the  mighty  laid  low ! 

Be  ye  mute  in  proud  Askelon's  street ! 
Their  daughters,  in  triumph  at  Israel's  woe, 

With  scoffs  the  sad  tidings  would  greet. 

Ye  mountains  of  Gilboa,  never  may  dew 

At  eventide  visit  your  flowers  ; 
May  the  fruits  which  the  fields  of  your  offerings  strew. 

Never  welcome  the  soft  summer  showers. 

While  there,  in  his  proud,  princely  beauty  he  stood, 
Was  the  bow  of  the  warrior  unstrung ; 

And  low  in  the  shadows  that  darken  thy  wood, 
The  shield  of  the  mighty  was  Hung. 

Oh,  stronger  than  young  mountain  J  ions  were  they  I 
Like  the  eagles  they  never  knew  fear  ; 

And  proud  as  they  walked  in  their  kingly  array 
Shone  the  light  upon  helmet  and  spear. 

For  Saul,  oh,  ye  daughters  of  Israel  most  fair  I 

Who  clothed  you  in  scarlet  and  gold 
Untwine  every  gem  from  your  beautiful  hair, 

And  in  sack-cloth  your  loveliness  fold. 

And  I — oh,  my  brother  !  in  sorrow  for  thee, 

My  spirit  is  bending  full  low  ! 
Thy  smiles  and  thy  voice  have  been  pleasant  to  me, 

As  the  streams  that  in  Lebanon  flow. 

Thy  love  was  a  wonderful,  beautiful  thing, 
More  than  kindles  in  woman's  fond  breast ; 

Not  thy  sister's  young  arms  to  my  neck  as  they  cling, 
More  tenderly  ever  caressed. 

Ye  daughters  of  music,  encircle  the  dead  ' 

And  chant  the  funereal  song  ; — 
The  beauty,  the  glory  of  Israel  have  fled, 

And  low  in  the  dust  lie  the  strong 
18 


194  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON. 

This  is  only  one  of  many  gems  written  when  quite  a 
child,  and  when  it  is  remembered  that  her  hands  were 
filled  with  the  homeliest  domestic  duties,  and  her  head 
with  the  studies  she  was  pursuing  alone,  these  efforts  are 
truly  wonderful. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen,  feeling  the  need  of  more 
books,  and  also  of  some  further  instruction  in  her 
studies,  she  took  a  children's  school,  toiling  hard  half  her 
time  to  teach,  for  the  privilege  of  studying  hard  the 
other  half.  Logic,  Geometry,  Latin,  were  amongst  her 
studies ;  and  as  her  brothers  and  sisters  grew  old  enough 
to  benefit  by  her  instructions,  she  imparted  to  them,  on© 
after  another,  the  knowledge  gained  so  hardly. 


LIFE   OF    SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  196 


CHAPTER  II. 

PROFESSION   OF   RELIGION — POETRY   ON   DEATH   OF   COLMAU 
MARRIAGE DEPARTURE    FOR   INDIA. 

In  1820  Sarah,  now  resolved  to  devote  her  whole  life 
to  God  and  his  cause,  made  a  public  profession  of  reli- 
gion ;  she  took  this  important  step  with  humility  and  a 
touchingly  meek  spirit.     In  her  journal  she  wrote  : 

"  I  have  this  day,"  (June  4th,  1820,)  "  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  world,  the  holy  angels,  and  the  omniscient 
God,  publicly  manifested  my  determination  to  forsake 
the  objects  of  earth,  and  live,  henceforth  for  Heaven. 
What  have  I  done  ?  Do  I  realize  the  importance  of  the 
step  I  have  taken  ?  Oh,  my  Saviour  !  I  am  weak,  and 
the  heart  of  man  is  deceitful ;  but  I  do  hope  in  thy  mercy. 
Thou  didst  die  even  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  I  know 
thou  will  pardon  all  who  come  to  thee  believing.  Take 
me,  dear  Saviour,  all  sinful,  unworthy  as  I  am — do  with 
me  what  thou  wilt,  but  oh  !  preserve  me  from  wounding 
thy  precious  cause  ! 

"  I  have  to-day  wept  tears  of  pity,  I  can  almost  say 
anguish,  at  the  stupidity  of  sinners.  Inhabitants  of  a 
Christian  country,  the  word  of  God  in  their  hands ;  the 
mild,  compassionate  Saviour  waiting  to  receive  them ; 
the  Spirit  striving,  and  yet  they  bent  upon  their  own  de- 


196  LIFE   OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

struction..  But  have  I  not  more  reason  to  be  astonished 
and  weep  at  my  own  coldness — I  who  have/eZ^,  that 
Jesus  bled  and  died,  even  for  my  sins  ;  I  wander  from 
the  way  of  life !  '  Turn  me,  0  God,  and  I  shall  be 
turned  ;  draw  me,  and  I  shall  run  after  thee.' 

"To-day  I  had  a  long  and  serious  conversation  with 
my  beloved  sister  Harriet.  Sweet  child  !  she  wept  when 
I  told  her  of  her  dangerous  state.  I  reminded  her  of  the 
shortness  of  time,  the  certainty  of  death,  the  value  of  the 
soul,  and  jhe  terrors  of  the  Day  of  Judgment ;  and  she 
appeared  greatly  distressed.  But  alas !  I  have  reason 
to  fear  that  her  emotions  were  of  a  different  nature  from 
those  I  would  fain  excite.  I  know  that  she  loves  me  tender- 
ly, and  apprehensions  of  an  eternal  separation  cannot  fail 
to  give  her  pain.  Oh  !  that  the  Holy  Spirit  might  con- 
vince her,  and  convince  my  other  sisters,  and  my  brothers, 
of  the  importance  of  seeking  an  interest  in  the  Saviour." 

The  last  paragraph  illustrates  the  missionary  spirit 
which  so  distinguished  her  later  years.  Her  disposition 
was  meek,  retiring,  and  self-distrustful  always,  yet  her 
love  for  Christ  was  strong,  the  ruling  passion.  She  did 
not  wait,  letting  this  love  lie  dormant,  till  there  was  some 
great  world-wide  cause  to  exert  it;  in  the  home  circle, 
tenderly  and  humbly  she  tried  to  raise  the  mind  of  her 
young  sister  to  the  happy  trust  and  love  she  herself  felt 
in  Divine  Providence. 

Three  years  later  Mrs.  Crosby  writes  of  her  thus  :  "  My 
^rst  particular  accquaintance  with  Sarah  Hall  began  in 
1823,  when  she  called  on  me,  and  invited  me  to  join  the 
Tract  Society,  and  engage  in  distributing  tracts  in  a  cer- 
tain district.     At  this  time  she  was  about  eighteen  years 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  197 

of  age ;  and  from  that  period  till  her  departure  for  glory, 
the  most  affectionate  intercourse  was  maintained.  In  the 
tract  labors  she  was  assiduously  engaged  during  her 
residence  in  Salem.  Soon  after  this  event,  (the  call 
above  mentioned,)  a  few  of  her  female  friends  indulged  a 
trembling  hope  in  the  Saviour,  and  she  succeeded  in  es- 
tablishing a  prayer-meeting,  where  she  was  accustomed 
to  meet  them  each  week  for  several  months,  and  the  hap- 
py results  were,  that  all  but  one  came  forward  publicly 
and  put  on  Christ.  Although  the  attendants  on  this  meet- 
ting  were  all  her  seniors,  and  some  of  them  married  la- 
dies, yet  Miss  Hall  was  the  actual  and  acknowledged 
leader." 

In  the  life  of  Mrs.  Ann  Judson,  there  will  be  seen  a  no- 
tice of  the  death  of  Mr.  Colman,  one  of  the  earliest  mar- 
tyrs who  fell  fighting  for  the  cross  in  Burmah.  The  news 
of  his  death  spread  through  all  America  a  sorrow,  and 
awoke  to  new  life  and  energy  the  missionary  cause. 
Sarah  Hall,  with  a  saddened  poetic  fervor,  wrote  and  pub- 
lished the  following  lines,  when  the  news  of  his  death 
reached  her : 

'Tis  the  voice  of  deep  sorrow  from  India's  shore, 

The  flower  of  om*  churches  is  withered,  is  dead, 
The  gem  that  shone  brightly  will  sparkle  no  more, 

And  the  tears  of  the  Christian  profusely  are  shed. 
Two  youths  of  Columbia,  with  hearts  glowing  warm, 

Embarked  on  the  billows  far  distant  to  rove, 
To  bear  to  the  nations  all  wrapped  in  thick  gloom, 

The  lamp  of  the  gospel — the  message  of  love. 
But  Wheelock  now  slumbers  beneath  the  cold  wave, 
And  Colman  hes  low  in  the  dark,  cheerless  grave; 


198  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

Mourn,  daughters  of  Arracan,  mourn  ! 
The  rays  of  that  star,  clear  and  bright, 
That  so  sweetly  on  Chittagong  shone, 
Are  shrouded  in  black  clouds  of  night, 
For  Colman  is  gone  ! 

At  that  sorrowful  hour,  that  moment  of  woe, 

When  his  cheek,  lately  glowing  with  health,  was  all  paie ; 
And  his  lone  wife,  disconsolate,  feeble  and  low. 

Was  sad,  and  no  Christian  replied  to  her  wail  ; 
Did  not  angels  in  sympathy  shed  the  soft  tear. 

As  they  gazed  from  their  thrones  far  beyond  the  blue  sky  f 
Oh  no ;  for  the  seraph  of  mercy  was  near. 

To  bid  Mm  rejoice,  wipe  the  tear  from  her  eye. 
They  saw,  and  with  rapture  continued  their  lays, 
"  How  great  is  Jehovah  !  how  deep  are  his  ways  ! 
The  spirit  of  love  from  on  high. 
The  hearts  of  the  righteous  hath  fired  ; 
Lo  !  they  come,  and  with  transport  they  cry, 
We  will  go  where  our  brother  expired. 
And  labour  and  die." 

Oh,  Colman  !  thy  father  weeps  not  on  thy  grave ; 

Thy  heart-riven  mother  ne'er  sighs  o'er  thy  dust; 
But  the  long  Indian  grass  there  most  sweetly  shall  wave, 

And  the  drops  of  the  evening  descend  on  the  just; 
Cold,  silent,  and  dark  is  thy  narrow  abode, 

But  not  long  wilt  thou  sleep  in  that  dwelling  of  gloom. 
For  soon  shall  be  heard  the  great  trump  of  our  Grod, 

To  summon  all  nations  to  hear  their  last  doom ; 
A  garland  of  amaranth  then  shall  be  thine. 
And  thy  name  on  the  martyrs'  bright  register  shine ; 
Oh,  what  glory  will  burst  on  thy  view, 
When  are  placed  by  the  Judge  of  the  earth 
The  flowers  that  in  India  grew 
By  thy  care,  on  the  never-pale  wreath 
Encircling  thy  brow ! 


LIFE   OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  199 

The  death  of  Colman  leaving  a  sad  vacancy  in  the 
Mission  at  Burmah,  George  Boardman  offered  his  servi- 
ces to  fill  the  place  of  the  young  martyr.  The  son  of  a 
Baptist  clergyman  in  Maine,  he  devoted  himself  after 
leaving  college,  where  he  graduated  with  honor,  to  the 
missionary  cause. 

Whilst  waiting  for  the  finger  of  Providence  to  point 
out  the  scene  of  his  missionary  labors,  he  accepted  the 
situation  of  tutor  in  college  for  one  year,  and  then  Col- 
man's  death  leaving  the  vacancy  he  panted  to  fill,  he  of- 
fered his  services  to  the  Board  of  Missions,  who  at  once 
accepted  his  services.  It  being  judged  expedient,  how- 
ever, for  him  to  receive  a  theological  education,  he  studied 
at  Andover  College  until  1825,  when  he  was  appointed 
missionary  to  Burmah. 

Before  the  young  missionary  had  ever  met  the  future 
partner  of  his  toils  in  India,  the  lines  to  Colman  quoted 
above,  had  awakened  an  interest  in  their  writer.  They 
met  soon  after,  and  it  did  not  require  many  interviews 
to  prove  that  the  interest  in  the  salvation  of  heathen 
souls  was  as  strongly  excited  in  one  mind  as  in  the 
other.  They  loved  each  other  with  a  rare  tenderness, 
and  were  married  in  1825,  resolved  to  attempt  together 
the  arduous  task  of  converting  heathens  to  the  true  God. 

Mrs.  Allen  writes  in  the  Mother's  Journal  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  young  missionary : 

"She  was  of  about  middle  stature,  agreeable  in  her 
personal  appearance,  and  winning  in  her  manners.  The 
first  impression  of  an  observer  respecting  her,  in  her 
youth,  at  the  time  of  her  departure  from  the  country, 
would  be  of  a  gentle,  confiding,  persuasive  being,  who 


200  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

would  sweeten  the  cup  of  life  to  those  who  drank  it  with 
her.  But  further  acquaintance  would  develop  strength 
as  well  as  loveliness  of  character.  It  would  be  seen  that 
she  could  do  and  endure  as  well  as  love  and  please. 
Sweetness  and  strength,  gentleness  and  firmness,  were 
in  her  character  most  happily  blended.  Her  mind  was 
both  poetical  and  practical ;  she  had  refined  taste,  and  a 
love  for  the  beautiful  as  well  as  the  excellent." 

In  the  same  notice,  she  says  : 

"  If  we  mistake  not,  she  had  not  at  first  the  cordial 
consent  of  her  family  in  this  devotion  of  herself  to  a 
missionary  life.  She  was  a  treasure  too  precious  to  be 
readily  yielded  up,  even  for  this  holy  work.  We  recol- 
lect that  when  she  left  her  paternal  home  to  reach  the 
ship  which  was  to  convey  her  ^  over  the  dark  and  distant 
sea,'  after  she  had  taken  her  seat  in  the  stage-coach  with 
her  chosen  companion,  and  the  late  revered  Dr.  Bolles, 
her  pastor,  and  had  bestowed  her  last  farewell  upon  the 
family  group, — as  though  she  felt  that  she  had  not  ob- 
tained that  free  and  full  consent  to  her  abandonment  of 
home  and  country  which  her  filial  heart  craved,  she 
looked  out  at  the  coach  window,  and  said,  '  Father,  are 
you  willing  ?  Say,  father,  that  you  are  willing  I  should 
go.'  'Yes,  my  child,  I  am  willing.'  'Now  I  can  go 
joyfully !'  was  the  emphatic  response ;  and  the  noble 
wanderer  went  on  her  way  with  cheerful  composure. 

"  The  mother's  heart  too,  was  wrung  with  anguish.  At 
first,  clasping  her  idolized  child  closely  in  her  arms,  she 
seemed  utterly  unable  to  give  her  consent  to  the  separa- 
tion, and  it  was  not  until  the  last  hours  before  her  de- 
parture that  she  could  falter,  'I  hope  I  am  willing.'  " 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  20 1 

On  the  16th  of  July,  1825,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boardman 
sailed  for  India,  and  in  December  arrived  at  Calcutta. 
Mr.  Boardman  writes  home : 

"  It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  write  you  from  the 
shores  of  India.  Through  the  goodness  of  God  we  ar- 
rived at  Sand-Heads  on  the  23d  ult.,  after  a  voyage  of 
127  days.  We  were  slow  in  our  passage  up  the  Hoogly, 
and  did  not  arrive  in  Calcutta  until  the  2d  inst.  We 
had  a  very  agreeable  voyage, — religious  service  at  meals, 
evening  prayers  in  the  cabin,  and  when  the  weather 
allowed,  public  worship  in  the  steerage  on  Lord's-day 
morning  .  .  .  allow  me  to  add  that  we  entertain  a  hope 
that  one  of  the  sailors  was  converted  on  the  passage. 

"  The  report  of  our  being  at  Sand-Heads  reached 
Calcutta  several  days  before  we  did,  and  our  friends  had 
made  kind  preparations  to  receive  us.  Soon  after  com- 
ing in  sight  of  the  city,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  welcoming 
on  board  the  Asia  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hough.  He  informed 
us  that  the  Burmese  war  was  renewed,  after  an  armistice 
of  several  weeks,  and  that  no  well-authenticated  accounts 
had  been  received  from  our  dear  friends,  Judson  and 
Price  at  Ava.  It  is  generally  supposed  that  they  are 
imprisoned  with  other  foreigners,  and  have  not  the  means 
of  sending  round  to  Bengal. 

At  noon,  Dec.  2d,  we  came  on  shore,  .  .  .  and  were 
received  very  kindly  by  the  English  Missionaries.  We 
found  Mrs.  Colman  waiting  with  a  carriage  to  bring  us 
out  to  this  place.  The  cottage  we  occupy  was  formerly 
the  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eustace  Carey.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wade,  Mrs.  Colman,  Mrs.  Boardman  and  myself, 
compose  a  very  happy  American  family.  .  .  .  But  we 


202  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

long  to  be  laboring  in  Burmah.  We  are  not  yet  discour- 
aged by  the  dark  cloud  that  hangs  over  our  prospects 
there.  We  still  hope  and  trust,  we  firmly  believe^  that 
eventually  this  war  will  tend  to  advance  the  cause  of 
Christ  in  Burmah.  We  hope  our  friends  at  home  will 
not  be  discouraged,  but  will  continue  to  pray  for  us." 

In  another  letter  he  says,  "  And  now,  my  dear  parents, 
I  wish  you  could  make  a  visit  at  Chitpore.  You  would 
find  your  two  fond  children  sitting  together  very  happily, 
and  engaged  in  writing  letters  to  their  beloved  American 
friends.  Our  mansion,  to  be  sure,  is  but  a  bamboo  cot- 
tage, with  a  thatched  roof,  but  is  a  palace  compared  with 
most  of  the  native  huts  around  us.  But  you  know  a 
large  house  is  by  no  means  essential  to  happiness.  Food 
and  clothing  sufficient,  with  the  presence  of  God,  are  all 
that  is  absolutely  necessary.  Could  a  man  have  in  ad- 
dition, one  confidential  friend,  who  sympathized  in  all 
his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  with  whom  he  could  enjoy  all 
the  endearments  of  social  life,  he  might  be  happy  indeed 
— and  such  a  friend,  such  a  wife  I  have  in  my  beloved 
Sarah.  I  fear  I  shall  never  be  able  to  discharge  the  ob- 
ligations I  feel  toward  you  for  conferring  on  me  so  great 
a  blessing." 

All  missionary  labor  was  suspended  at  Burmah  at  the 
time  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boardman  arrived  at  Calcutta,  and 
they  were  oblif^ed  to  remain  in  that  place  until  the  war 
closed.  They  occupied  their  time,  however,  in  studying 
the  language,  and  preparing  themselves  for  future  labors. . 
Mrs.  Boardman  writes,  in  1827 : 

"  I  sometimes  think  that  of  all  God's  creatures,  I  have 
most  occasion  for  gratitude.     Since  I  bade  adieu  to  my 


LIFR    OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  203 

native  land,  the  events  that  have  transpired  in  relation 
■to  me  have  been  one  series  of  mercies.  I  am  blest  with 
excellent  health,  a  most  affectionate  husband,  a  lovely 
daughter,  and  everything  in  my  outward  circumstances 
to  make  me  comfortable  and  happy.  In  view  of  these 
temporal  mercies,  I  can  indeed  say  my  cup  runneth 
over !  But  when  I  think  of  my  spiritual  privileges,  I 
am  still  more  overwhelmed.  Among  these,  the  near 
prospect  of  being  actually  engaged  in  the  glorious  cause 
of  missions,  is  by  no  means  the  least.  I  still  feel  it  to 
be  a  privilege  of  which  I  am  utterly  unworthy,  but  for 
which,  I  hope,  I  am  not  altogether  unthankful." 

In  writing  of  her  at  this  period,  one  of  her  English 
friends  pronounced  her,  a  lovely  wife,  fond  mother,  win- 
ning companion,  and  "the  most  finished  and  faultless 
Bpecimen  of  an  American  woman." 


204  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON. 


CHAPTER  III. 

REMOVAL  TO  MAULMAIN — FIRST  PERIL  IN  THEIR  NEW 
HOME REMOVAL  TO  TAVOY MISSIONARY  LABORS IN- 
TEREST   IN    THE    KARENS. 

In  April,  1827,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boardman  removed  to 
Amherst,  to  commence  those  missionary  labors  for  which 
they  had  forsaken  home,  friends,  and  country.  Here, 
Mrs.  Boardman  was  first  attacked  with  the  disease  which 
made  her  an  invalid  for  many  years. 

Resolving,  after  a  short  stay  at  Amherst,  to  remove 
to  Maulmain,  twenty-five  miles  from  Amherst,  as  it  pre- 
sented a  wider  field  for  usefulness,  they  erected  there  a 
bamboo  hut,  and,  although  so  feeble  as  to  be  carried  on 
a  litter  to  her  new  home,  Mrs.  Boardman  accompanied 
her  husband. 

The  mission-house  was  in  a  lonely  spot,  a  mile  from 
the  cantonments,  and  open  to  the  ravages  of  wild 
beasts,  and  men  as  savage.  The  English  urged  the  mis- 
sionaries to  reside  within  the  cantonments,  but  wishing 
to  study  the  Burmese  character  and  language  amongst 
the  natives,  to  be  more  useful  in  the  future  to  them,  he 
refused,  although  fully  alive  to  the  dangers  of  his  unpro- 
tected situation. 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  205 

Mrs.  Boardman's  delicate  blonde  beauty,  the  soft,  fair 
curls,  and  white  skin,  were  matters  of  the  most  profound  as- 
tonishment and  curiosity  amongst  the  savages  now  around 
her.  As  she  progressed  in  the  language,  she  invited  all  who 
came  near  the  hut  to  enter,  and  particularly  devoted  her 
attention  to  the  endeavor  to  win  the  love  of  the  chil- 
dren. 

I  quote  from  Fanny  Forrester's  life  of  Mrs.  Judson, 
the  following  account  of  the  first  peril  of  the  mission- 
aries in  their  new  home  : 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  fourth  day,  as  it  deepened 
into  night,  the  books  of  study  were  thrown  aside,  and 
the  book  of  God  taken  in  their  stead ;  then  the  prayer 
was  raised  to  heaven,  and  the  little  family  went  to  rest. 
Feeble  were  the  rays  of  the  one  pale  lamp,  close  by  the 
pillow  of  the  young  mother,  scarce  throwing  its  light 
upon  the  infant  resting  in  her  bosom,  and  penetrating 
into  the  remote  darkness,  but  by  feeble  flickerings.  So 
sleep  soon  brooded  over  the  shut  eyelids,  and  silence 
folded  its  solemn  wings  about  the  little  habitation. 

"  The  infant  stirred,  and  the  mother  opened  her  eyes. 
Why  was  she  in  darkness  ?  and  what  objects  were  those 
scattered  so  strangely  about  her  apartment,  just  distin- 
guishable from  the  gray  shadows  ?  The  lamp  was  soon 
relighted,  and  startling  was  the  scene  which  it  revealed. 
There  lay,  in  odd  confusion,  trunks,  boxes,  and  chests 
of  drawers,  all  rifled  of  their  contents ;  and  strewed 
carelessly  about  the  floor,  were  such  articles  as  the  ma- 
rauders had  not  considered  worth  their  taking.  While 
regarding  in  consternation,  not  appreciable  by  those  who 
flave  access  to  the  shops  of  an  American  city,  this  spoil- 


206  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

ing  of  their  goods,  Mrs.  Boardman  chanced  to  raise  her 
eye  to  the  curtain,  beneath  which  her  husband  had  slept, 
and  she  thought  of  the  lost  goods  no  more.  Two  long 
gashes,  one  at  the  head,  and  the  other  at  the  foot,  had 
been  cut  in  the  muslin ;  and  there  had  the  desperate 
villains  stood,  glaring  on  the  unconscious  sleepers  with 
their  fierce,  murderous  eyes,  while  the  booty  was  secured 
by  their  companions.  The  bared,  swarthy  arm  was 
ready  for  the  blow,  and  the  sharp  knife  or  pointed  spear 
glittered  in  their  hands.  Had  the  sleeper  opened  his 
eyes,  had  he  only  stirred,  had  but  a  heavy,  long-drawn 
breath  startled  the  cowardice  of  guilt — ah,  had  it !  But 
it  did  not.  The  rounded  limbs  of  the  little  infant  lay 
motionless  as  their  marble  counterfeit ;  for  if  the  rosy 
lips  had  moved  but  to  the  slightest  murmur,  or  the  tiny 
hand  crept  closer  to  the  loved  bosom  in  her  baby  dreams, 
the  chord  in  the  mother's  breast  must  have  answered, 
and  the  death-stroke  followed.  But  the  mother  held  her 
treasure  to  her  heart  and  slept  on.  Murderers  stood  by 
the  bedside,  regarding  with  callous  heart,  the  beautiful 
tableau ;  and  the  husband  and  father  slept.  But  there 
was  one  Eye  open — the  Eye  that  never  slumbers ;  a 
protecting  wing  was  over  them,  and  a  soft,  invisible  hand 
pressed  down  their  sleeping  lids. 

"  Nearly  every  article  of  value  that  could  be  taken 
away,  had  disappeared  from  the  house ;  and,  though 
strict  search  was  made  throughout  the  neighborhood,  no 
trace  of  them  was  ever  discovered.  After  this  incident, 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell  furnished  the  house  with  a  guard 
of  Sepoys  during  the  night,  and  as  the  rapid  increase  of 
the   population  soon  gave  it  a  central  position  in  the 


LIFE    OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  207 

town,  the  danger  of  such  attacks  was  very  much  les- 
sened." 

Still,  heroic  in  their  determination  to  do  good  even  to 
the  ruthless  robbers  who  had  taken  their  worldly  goods 
from  them,  they  remained  in  the  hut,  striving,  by  smiles 
and  gentle  gestures,  to  tell  the  natives,  before  their 
tongues  could  frame  the  uncouth  dialect,  their  love  for 
them,  and  kind  intentions  toward  them. 

It  was  not  until  the  spring  of  1828,  that  Mr.  Board- 
man's  missionary  labors  really  commenced.  He  then 
removed  to  Tavoy.  An  unforeseen  difficulty  here  awaited 
them,  for  the  corrupt  dialect  of  the  Tavoyians  differed 
widely  from  the  pure  Burmese,  and  they  had  again  to 
conquer  the  difficulties  of  a  new  language. 

In  addition  to  his  labors  as  a  preacher,  Mr.  Boardman 
established  in  Tavoy,  a  boy's  school,  and  after  great  toil 
and  many  discouragements,  Mrs.  Boardman  succeeded 
in  opening  one  for  girls.  Four  of  Mr.  Boardman 's 
scholars  had  accompanied  him  from  Maulmain,  and  were 
boarding  scholars,  so  that  Mrs.  Boardman's  hands  were, 
with  family  cares,  study,  and  her  own  school,  well  filled. 

A  strong  interest  was  felt  by  both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boardman  in  the  Karens,  a  most  savage,  ignorant  set  of 
men,  who  live  far  from  the  Burmese  towns,  having  no 
settled  dwelling-place,  but  inhabiting  the  wildest  retreats 
in  mountain  and  forest.  One  of  Mr.  Boardman's  first 
works  after  his  arrival,  was  to  baptize  Ko-Thah-Byoo,  a 
zealous  disciple,  instructed  in  the  true  religion  by  Dr. 
Judson.  He  carried  the  news  of  his  conversion  to  his 
countrymen,  and  declared  that  the  unknown,  hoped-for 
religion  of  their  fathers,  lost  for  many  generations,  was 


208  LIFE   OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

at  last  restored  by  the  white  teachers.  Others  came  to 
listen.  They  were  docile,  sensitive,  and  childlike  in 
their  faith,  and  Mr.  Boardman  felt  the  keenest  interest 
in  their  conversion. 

In  the  museum  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  is 
a  book  brought  by  these  savages  from  their  mountain 
fastness  to  Mr.  Boardman.  It  had  been  left  years 
before,  by  a  foreigner  who  commanded  them  to  worship 
it,  and  in  unquestioning  faith  the  command  was  obeyed. 
Upon  taking  it  from  the  numerous  folds  of  muslin  in 
which  it  was  enveloped,  Mr.  Boardman  found  an  Oxford 
edition  of  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  in  English.  He 
gave  them  in  its  stead,  portions  of  Mr.  Judson's  transla- 
tion of  the  Bible,  which  they  could  read  and  under- 
stand. Their  constant  entreaty  to  him  was  to  visit  their 
brethren,  who  could  not  come  to  him,  and  he  promised 
to  do  so. 

In  February,  1829,  the  first  visit  was  made.  Mrs. 
Boardman,  with  her  two  children,  the  youngest  a  son 
only  six  months  old,  was  left,  although  still  feeble  from 
the  effects  of  an  illness  of  four  months'  duration,  alone, 
with  only  the  dusky  natives  around  her. 

Mr.  Boardman  was  only  recovering  from  the  first 
serious  attack  of  pulmonary  disease,  which  had  visited 
him  in  India,  when  he  started  upon  this  tour ;  but  thft 
eager  welcome,  childlike  love,  and  strong  desire  to  learn: 
the  words  of  truth  manifested  by  the  Karens,  made  the. 
tour  delicious,  in  spite  of  physical  weakness,  and  some- 
times suffering. 

A  severe  trial  awaited  him  upon  his  returxi.^  In  his 
little  church,  sin  had  entered  with  its  deadly  blight,  and 


LIFE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  209 

the  keenest  suffering  was  felt  by  both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boardman,  who  each  felt  that  perhaps  they  had  not  done 
their  duty  towards  the  converts.  Mrs.  Boardman  writes 
to  Mrs.  Bolles : 

"  Some  of  these  poor  Burmans,  who  are  daily  carried 
to  the  grave,  may  at  last  reproach  me,  and  say,  '  You 
came,  it  is  true,  to  the  city  where  we  dwelt,  to  tell  of 
neaven  and  hell,  but  wasted  much,  much  of  your  precious 
time  in  indolence,  while  acquiring  our  language.  And, 
when  you  were  able  to  speak,  why  were  you  not  inces- 
santlT/  telling  us  of  this  day  of  doom,  when  we  visited 
you  ?  why,  oh,  why  did  you  ever  speak  of  any  other 
thing  while  we  were  ignorant  of  the  most  momentous  of 
all  truths?  Oh!  how  could  you  think  on  anything  but 
our  salvation  ?  How  could  you  sleep,  or  allow  yourself 
anything  like  ease  or  comfort,  while  we  were  perishing, 
and  you  knew  a  Being  who  could  save  us,  and  that  Being 
had  promised  to  grant  the  petition  of  his  children  ?  You 
told  us  that  He  was  your  Father,  and  that  He  heard  your 
lowest  whispers,  and  most  secret  sighs — why,  then,  did 
you  not,  day  and  night,  entreat  Him  in  our  behalf.' 

"  Mr.  Boardman  will  tell  you  of  the  heart-rending 
afflictions  which  we  have  been  called  to  endure  in  our 
little  church.  Our  hearts  have  almost  bled  with  anguish, 
and  mine  has  sunk  lower  than  the  grave,  for  I  have  felt 
that  my  unworthiness  has  been  the  cause  of  all  our  calam- 
ities." 

In  the  spring  of  1829,   Mrs.  Boardman  was  again 
seized  with  a  severe  illness.     The  baby,  too,  was  weak, 
puny,  and  ailing,  and  each  day  added  to  the  delicacy  of 
14 


210  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

Mr.  Boardman's  health.  Sarah,  the  eldest  child,  the 
darling  of  both  parents,  alone  continued  in  robust  health. 
A  short  trip  was  taken  to  Mergui  for  the  benefit  of 
sea  air  and  sea  bathing,  and  the  family  returned  "with 
renewed  health  to  the  scene  of  their  labors. 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  211 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DEATH   OF   THE   FIRST   BORN. 

Although  in  the  visits  of  illness  made  to  the  little 
missionary  family,  Sarah  always  seemed  exempt,  yet 
death's  ruthless  hand  fell  first  upon  her  fair  brow.  No 
language  can  tell  the  sad  story  so  touchingly  as  that  of 
the  bereaved  mother,  she  writes  : 

"  Our  little  Sarah  left  us  July  8th,  of  last  year — aged 
two  years  and  eight  months.  *  *  *  She  was  a  singular- 
ly lovely  child.  Her  bright  blue  eyes,  yellow  hair,  and 
rosy  cheeks,  formed  a  striking  contrast  to  the  little  dark 
faces  around  her  ;  and  I  often  said — 

Thou  art  a  sweet  and  fragrant  flower, 
Mid  poisonous,  vile  weeds  blooming ; 

A  lovely  star,  whose  cheering  power 

Makes  glad  the  heavj^-footed  hour. 
When  midnight  clouds  are  glooming. 

"  From  the  time  she  began  to  notice  anything,  we  were 
the  objects  of  her  fondest  love.  If  she  thought  she  had 
incurred  our  displeasure,  her  tender  heart  seemed  ready 
to  burst ;  and  she  could  not  rest  for  a  moment,  until  she 


212  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

had  said  she  was  '  sorry,'  and  obtained  the  kiss  of  for- 
giveness. She  had  learned  to  obey  us  implicitly.  *  *  * 
Always  when  she  saw  us  kneeling  to  pray,  she  would 
come  and  kneel  beside  us.  On  observing  me  one  day 
going  to  a  small  house  for  prayer,  near  the  spot  where 
her  precious  dust  now  sleeps,  she  said  to  Marian  and 
Rosina,  '  Go  back  !  I  will  go  alone  with  mama  to  pray  !' 
She  followed  me  to  the  place,  and  as  soon  as  she  entered 
it,  threw  herself  on  her  knees  and  commenced  praying. 
"  She  was  an  exceedingly  sensitive  child.  She  was  not 
only  afflicted  at  sight  of  our  tears,  but  even  a  sorrowful 
look  from  us  melted  her  tender  heart,  and  incited  her  to 
do  all  in  her  power  to  alleviate  our  sorrows.  If  we 
frowned  upon  her  conduct,  she  wept,  kissed  us,  and  re- 
frained from  committing  the  same  fault  again.  If  either 
of  us  was  ill,  her  heart  seemed  overflowing  with  grief; 
and  she  would  say,  in  tones  of  touching  tenderness, 
*  Mama,'  (or  papa,)  ill — Sarah  very  sad.  Mama  can- 
not take  Sarah  now.'  And  she  would  come  and  stroke 
our  foreheads  with  her  little  soft  hand,  and  kiss  us  so 
affectionately !  Her  love  to  her  little  brother  George 
was  unlimited.  From  the  day  of  his  birth  till  the  day 
but  one  before  she  died,  he  was  her  idol.  If  she  wanted 
anything  ever  so  much,  only  tell  her  it  was  for  Georgie, 
and  that  was  enough  to  satisfy  her.  She  never  envied 
him  an  article  of  dress  or  food,  or  a  play-thing,  but 
would  always  resign  her  choicest  toys  to  her  dear  little 
brother.  Three  days  before  she  died,  she  was  lying  un- 
easily in  a  large  swing  cradle,  and  George  was  in  the 
same  room,  crying.  We  thought  it  might  soothe  the 
little  sufferer,  for  he  was  also  very  ill,  to  lay  him  down 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  213 

beside  Sarah.  The  proposal  delighted  her ;  with  smiles 
she  threw  open  her  little  arms,  and,  for  the  last  time, 
held  her  darling  brother  in  her  fond  embrace.  So  great 
was  her  gratification  at  this  privilege,  that  she  seemed 
to  forget  her  own  pains. 

"  Little  Sarah  spoke  English  remarkably  well  for  so 
young  a  child,  and  Burmese,  like  a  native  ;  she  could  also 
say  some  things  in  the  Hindostanee  and  Karen.  And 
what  seems  a  little  singular,  she  never  confounded  two 
languages,  but  always  spoke  pure  English  to  us,  and  pure 
Burmese  to  Burmans.  This  discrimination  continued  as 
long  as  she  had  the  powers  of  speech.  She  had  learned 
the  Lord's  prayer  and  several  little  hymns.  Dr.  Jud- 
son's  lines  on  the  death  of  Mee-Shway-ee  she  knew  by 
heart  in  Burmese,  and  used  to  chant  them  for  half  an 
hour  at  a  time.  She  had  nearly  learned  the  Burman 
and  English  alphabets,  and  could  repeat  the  names  of 
the  months,  days  of  the  week,  and  a  part  of  the  multi- 
plication-table, in  Burmese.  These  things  may  seem 
very  trivial  to  you,  but  I  muse  upon  them  by  the  hour  to- 
gether ;  and  it  is  only  when  I  call  my  cooler  judgment 
into  action,  that  I  can  make  myself  believe  they  are  un 
interesting  to  any  person  on  earth.  I  love  to  think  of 
my  sweet  bud  of  immortality,  expanding  so  beautifully 
in  my  own  presence  ;  and  fancy  I  can  judge,  in  some 
small  degree,  of  the  brilliancy  of  the  perfect  flower, 
from  these  little  developments. 

"  A  few  hours  before  she  died,  she  called  us  to  her,  kissed 
us,  and  passed  her  dear  hand,  still  full  and  dimpled,  as 
in  health,  softly  over  our  faces.  The  pupils  of  her  eye 
were  so  dilated  that  she  could  not  see  us  distinctly,  and 


214  LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

once,  for  a  moment  or  two,  her  mind  seemed  to  be  wan- 
dering; then  looking  anxiously  into  mj  face,  she  said,  '  I 
frightened,  mama  !  I  frightened  !'  *  *  *  Qh !  with 
what  feelings  did  I  wash  and  dress  her  lovely  form  for  the 
last  time,  and  compose  her  perfect  little  limbs  ;  and  then 
see  her — the  dear  child,  which  had  so  long  lain  in  my 
bosom — borne  away  to  her  newly-made  grave.  My  heart 
grew  faint  when  I  thought  that  I  had  performed  for  her 
my  last  office  of  love  ;  that  she  would  never  need  a  mo- 
ther's hand  again.  My  dear  husband  performed  the  fu- 
neral service  with  an  aching,  though  not  desponding  heart. 
The  grave  is  in  our  own  enclosure,  about  j&fteen  rods  from 
the  house — a  beautiful,  retired  spot,  in  a  grove  of  Gan- 
gau  trees.  Near  it  is  a  little  Bethel,  erected  for  private 
devotion.  Thither  we  have  often  repaired ;  and  we  trust 
that  God,  who  in  his  infinite  wisdom  has  taken  our  treas- 
ure to  himself,  often  meets  us  there." 

"  It  never  once  occurred  to  me,  all  the  time  my  child 
was  with  me,  that  she  could  die ;  she  seemed  always  so 
full  of  life  and  health." 

After  George's  recovery  she  writes  : 

"  We  have  a  fine  healthy  boy ;  but  I  do  not  allow  my- 
self to  idolize  him  as  I  did  his  sister.  In  her  dissolution 
we  saw  such  a  wreck  of  all  that  was  beautiful  and  lovely, 
that  I  think  we  shall  henceforth  be  kept  from  worship- 
ing the  creature." 


LIFB   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  215 


CHAPTER  V. 

REVOLT  AT  TAVOY — BIRTH  AND  DEATH  OP  THE  SECOND  SON. 

Terrible  scenes  were  now  preparing  for  tlie  devoted 
missionaries.  I  quote  Mr.  Boardman's  letter,  which 
gives  the  plainest  account  of  the  trying  season,  though 
language  would  fail  to  paint  half  the  horror  of  the  trial 
to  his  gentle  wife  : — 

Rev.  and  dear  Sir  : 

The  province  of  Tavoy  has  engaged  in  an  open  revolt 
against  the  British  government.  On  Lord's-day  morn- 
ing, the  9th  inst.,  at  4  o'clock,  we  were  aroused  from  our 
quiet  slumbers  by  the  cry  of,  '  Teacher,  master,  Tavoy 
rebels,'  and  ringing  at  all  our  doors  and  windows.  We 
were  soon  awoke  to  our  extreme  danger,  as  we  heard  not 
only  a  continual  report  of  musketry  within  the  town, 
but  the  balls  were  frequently  passing  over  our  heads  and 
through  our  house  ;  and  in  a  few  moments  a  large  com- 
pany of  Tavoyans  collected  near  our  gate,  and  gave  us 
reason  to  suspect  they  were  consulting  what  to  do  with 
us.  We  lifted  our  hearts  to  God  for  protection,  and 
Mrs.  Boardman  and  little  George  were  hurried  away 
through  a  back  door  to  a  retired  building  in  the  rear.     I 


yi6  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

lay  down  in  tlie  house,  (to  escape  the  bullets,)  with  a 
single  Burman  boy,  to  watch  and  communicate  the  first 
intelligence.  After  an  hour  of  the  greatest  anxiety  and 
uncertainty  I  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  sepoys 
(troops  in  the  British  service)  in  possession  of  the  city 
gates,  in  front  of  our  house.  We  soon  ascertained  that 
a  party  of  about  250  men  had,  in  the  first  instance,  at- 
tacked the  powder  magazine  and  gun  shed,  which  were 
very  near  our  house,  but  a  guard  of  sepoys  had  repelled 
them.  This  was  a  great  mercy,  for  had  the  insurgents 
obtained  the  arms  and  ammunition,  our  situation  would 
have  been  most  deplorable.  A  second  party  of  sixty  had 
attacked  the  house  of  the  principal  native  officer  of  the 
town,  while  a  third  party  had  fallen  upon  the  guard  of 
the  prison,  and  let  loose  all  the  prisoners,  one  hundred 
in  number,  who,  as  soon  as  their  irons  were  knocked  ofi", 
became  the  most  desperate  of  all  the  insurgents." 

In  a  moment  of  comparative  quiet  Mr.  Boardman  fled 
with  his  wife  and  the  poor  babe,  moaning  with  illness,  to 
the  government  house,  where  Mrs.  Burney  received  them 
most  kindly.     He  says,  in  continuing  his  letter : 

"We  caught  up  a  few  light  articles  on  which  we  could 
lay  our  hands,  and  with  the  native  Christians,  fled  as  if 
for  our  lives.  I  visited  the  house  once  or  twice  after 
this,  and  saved  a  few  clothes  and  papers,  but  the  firing 
being  near,  rendered  it  hazardous  to  remain,  and  the  last 
time  I  went  I  found  the  house  had  been  plundered.  A 
large  part  of  our  books,  furniture,  and  clothes,  which 


LI|p    OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  217 

had  remained   behind   were   either  taken   away   or  de- 
stroyed. 

We  had  been  at  the  government  house  but  a  short 
time  when  it  was  agreed  to  evacuate  the  town  and  retire 
to  the  wharf.  In  the  hurry  of  our  second  removal, 
many  things  which  we  had  brought  from  our  house,  were 
necessarily  left,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  plunderers. 
We  soon  found  ourselves  at  the  wharf, — a  large  wooden 
building  of  six  rooms,  into  which,  besides  the  Europeans, 
were  huddled  all  the  sepoys  with  their  baggage  and  ours, 
and  several  hundreds  of  women  and  children  belonging 
to  Portuguese  and  others,  who  looked  to  the  English  for 
protection.  Our  greatest  danger  at  this  time  arose  from 
having,  in  one  of  the  rooms  where  many  were  to  sleep, 
and  all  of  us  were  continually  passing,  several  hundred 
barrels  of  gunpowder,  to  which,  if  fire  should  be  com- 
municated accidentally  by  ourselves,  or  mischievously 
by  others,  we  should  all  perish  at  once.  The  next  dan- 
ger was  from  the  rebels,  who,  if  they  could  either  rush 
upon  us,  or  take  us  by  surprise  or  stratagem,  would 
doubtless  massacre  us  all  on  the  spot.  We  lifted  up  our 
hearts  to  God,  and  he  heard  us  from  his  holy  habitation. 
We  were  preserved  in  safety  through  the  night,  though 
anxious  and  sleepless.  All  our  attempts  to  communicate 
intelligence  of  our  situation  to  the  people  in  Maulmain 
and  Mergui  were  defeated,  and  the  heavy  rains  soon  af- 
fected the  health  of  the  sepoys.  We  had  but  a  small 
supply  of  rice  in  the  granary  near  the  wharf,  and  that 
was  continually  in  danger  of  being  destroyed  or  burnt. 
But  through  the  kind  care  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  we 
were  preserved  alive,  and  nothing  of  great  importajice 


218  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

occurred  until  the  morning  of  Thursday,  a  little  before 
day-break,  when  a  party  of  500  advanced  upon  us  from 
the  town,  and  set  fire  to  several  houses  and  vessels  near 
the  wharf.  But  God  interposed  in  our  behalf,  and  sent 
a  heavy  shower  of  rain,  which  extinguished  the  fire  while 
the  sepoys  repelled  the  assailants. 

'  At  breakfast,  the  same  morning,  we  had  the  happiness 
of  seeing  the  Diana  steam-vessel  coming  up  the  river, 
with  Major  Burney  on  board.  Our  hearts  bounded  with 
gratitude  to  God.  It  was  soon  agreed  that  the  Diana 
should  return  immediately  to  Maulmain  for  a  reinforce- 
ment of  troops,  and  Major  Burney  had  the  kindness  to 
ofi*er  a  passage  for  Mrs.  Boardman  and  our  family  to- 
gether with  his  own.  After  looking  to  God  for  direc- 
tion, I  concluded  to  remain  behind,  partly  in  compliance 
with  Major  Burney 's  advice  and  desire,  but  particularly 
in  the  hope  of  being  useful  as  an  interpreter  and  nego- 
tiator, and  a  preventer  of  bloodshed.  With  painful 
pleasure  I  took  a  hasty  leave  of  my  dear  family,  and  in 
the  evening  the  Diana  left  us,  not,  however,  without  hav- 
ing several  shots  from  cannon  or  jinjals  fired  at  her  from 
the  people  on  the  city  wall.  The  English  forces,  small, 
and  weak,  and  sick,  as  they  were,  were  now  throwing  up 
breast-works;  and  on  Saturday,  the  15th  inst.,  it  was 
agreed  to  make  an  attack  on  the  town,  in  order,  if  pos- 
sible, to  take  from  the  walls  the  large  guns  that  bore 
upon  us,  and  to  try  the  strength  of  the  rebel  party.  I 
stood  at  the  post  of  observation  with  a  spy-glass  to  watch 
and  give  the  earliest  notice  of  the  event,  and  soon  had 
the  pleasure  of  announcing  that  the  ofl&cers  and  sepoys 
had  scaled  the  walls,  and  were  pitching  down,  outside, 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  219 

the  large'  guns  that  were  mounted  there,  while  friendly 
Chinese  were  employed  in  carrying  them  to  the  wharf. 
The  success  was  complete,  and  nothing  remained  hut  to 
rescue  the  prisoners  (sixty  in  number)  whom  the  rebels  had 
caught  and  confined.  After  a  short  cessation  and  a  little 
refreshment,  a  second  attack  was  made,  during  which  the 
prisoners  escaped,  and  the  rebels  evacuated  the  city.  A 
second  battery  of  guns  was  also  taken  and  brought  to 
the  wharf.  In  the  morning  we  walked  at  large  through 
the  town ;  but  what  desolation,  what  barbarous  destruc- 
tion was  everywhere  exhibited  !  everything  that  could 
not  be  carried  away  had  been  cut  and  destroyed  in  the 
most  wanton  manner.  Our  own  house  was  cut  to  pieces, 
our  books  cut,  scattered,  torn,  and  destroyed ;  our  furni- 
ture either  carried  off,  or  cut,  or  broken  in  pieces,  and 
the  house  itself  and  zayat  converted  into  cook-houses 
and  barracks.  During  the  last  three  days,  we  have  been 
picking  up  the  scattered  fragments  of  our  furniture, 
books,  &c.,  and  repairing  our  house. 

Nga-Dah,  the  ringleader  of  the  rebellion,  and  eleven 
of  his  principal  adherents,  have  been  caught.  The  in- 
habitants are  coming  in  with  white  flags,  and  occupying 
their  houses.  The  bazaar  is  open,  and  the  work  of  re- 
pairs is  going  on. 

Yesterday  morning  the  Diana  arrived  with  a  reinforce- 
ment of  European  soldiers ;  and  to-day  I  have  come  on 
board,  expecting  to  proceed  to  Maulmain  immediately. 
My  present  plan  is,  if  my  brethren  approve,  to  return 
with  my  family,  and  resume  our  missionary  labors  as  be- 
fore. The  native  members  of  our  church,  now  scattered, 
will  probably  come  into  town  as  soon  as  they  hear  of  our 


220  LIFE   OF    SAKAH    B.    JUDSON. 

return.     Of  the  boarding  scholars,  all  are  with  us  except 
three  Karens. 

My  letter  is  already  protracted  to  so  great  a  length, 
that  I  can  only  add  that  our  preservation  and  deliver- 
ance from  such  imminent  danger,  should  awaken  in  our 
hearts  the  warmest  gratitude  to  our  Heavenly  Father, 
and  the  most  unwavering  confidence  in  his  kind  care ; 
and  that  the  foregoing  account  should  revive  and  deepen 
the  impression  made  by  previous  events  in  the  history 
of  this  mission,  that  we  stand  in  need  of  the  continual 
and  fervent  prayers  of  Christians  in  America,  not  only 
for  our  preservation,  but  for  divine  guidance  in  all  our 

aflfairs. 

I  remain,  yours, 

G.  D.  BOAKDMAN. 

P.  S.  Saturday  morning^  August  22d. — I  have  just  ar- 
rived at  Maulmain,  and  have  the  happiness  to  find  my 
family  and  missionary  friends  in  comfortable  health. 
Praised  be  the  Lord  for  his  goodness. 

Aug.  29th. — After  much  deliberation,  it  is  thought 
best  that  I  should  leave  my  family  here  till  afi*airs  are 
more  settled.  ...  I  expect  to  embark  for  Tavoy  to- 
morrow morning.  May  the  Spirit  of  all  grace  go  with 
me ! 

Mrs.  Boardman's  situation  was  one  of  the  greatest 
suffering  and  peril.  Mrs.  Burney  and  herself  were  the 
only  females  in  the  government  house,  and  every  hour 
threatened  the  lives  of  all  who  had  gone  there  for  refuge. 
Her  babe  was  so  ill  as  to  require  constant  care,  and  she 
hardly  expected  him  to  come  alive  out  of  his  great  peril. 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  221 

Mrs.  Burney's  infant,  only  three  "weeks  old,  died  from 
the  exposure  of  those  terrible  days,  but  God,  in  his 
mercy  spared  Mr.  Boardman's  only  son. 

The  exposure,  however,  was  so  great,  and  Mrs.  Board- 
man's  strength  so  much  overtasked  that  a  severe  fit  of 
illness  ensued,  in  the  course  of  which  her  second  son, 
Judson  Wade,  was  born,  and  after  a  brief  existence  was 
laid,  like  his  fair  sister,  in  the  grave. 


222  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

ILLNESS  OF  MRS.  BOARDMAN — MR.  BOARDMAN*S  FAILING 
HEALTH. 

The  death  of  the  little  one  whose  tiny  span  of  life 
ended  so  soon,  was  a  heavy  trial  to  Mrs.  Boardman,  but 
her  greatest  affliction  was  yet  in  store.  Exposure,  during 
the  revolt  at  Tavoy,  and  the  great  excitement  under 
which  he  had  then  labored,  united  to  bring  upon  Mr. 
Boardman  his  pulmonary  disease,  in  its  worst  form. 
Consumption,  the  fell  destroyer,  marked  the  young  mis- 
sionary for  his  victim,  and  he  sank  slowly,  but  surely. 

Still,  however,  he  pursued  his  calling,  making  visits  to 
the  Karens,  or  preaching  in  his  little  church  at  Tavoy. 
In  January,  Mrs.  Boardman  was  so  low  that  her  hus- 
band saw  no  prospect  before  her  but  the  grave ;  but  in 
March  she  took  a  trip  to  Maulmain,  where  she  again  re- 
covered her  health.  In  April,  Mr.  Boardman  also  came 
to  Maulmain,  to  take  the  place  of  Messrs.  Judson  and 
Wade,  who  left  their  station  for  a  time,  to  fulfill  other 
missionary  duties. 

Mr.  Boardman's  health  still  continued  to  decline. 
From  her  far  off  Indian  home,  Mrs.  Boardman  sends  to 
her  parents  the  wail  of  a  stricken  heart.  To  see  him 
sink  daily,  losing  strength  slowly  but  too,  too  surely,  was 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  223 

agony  to  the  loving  heart ;  yet  in  all  her  anguish,  not 
one  word  of  rebellion  against  the  Divine  will  occurs. 
"Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done,"  she  ever  whispers. 

In  November,  they  returned  to  Tavoy,  where  they 
were  eagerly  welcomed  by  the  affectionate  Karens.  Mrs. 
Boardman  writes  in  January  : 

"  They  (the  Karens,)  had  heard  of  Mr.  Boardman's 
illness ;  and  the  sadness  depicted  on  their  countenances, 
when  they  saw  him  so  pale  and  emaciated,  affected  me 
much.  I  felt  that  God  had,  indeed,  raised  me  up  sym- 
pathizing friends,  even  in  the  wilderness,  among  those 
who  are  considered  barbarians  by  the  Burmans  them- 
&elves.  Before  we  had  been  here  a  fortnight,  one  party 
came  for  the  sole  purpose  of  seeing  us  and  hearing  the 
gospel.  They  remained  four  days,  and  the  eagerness 
with  which  they  listened  to  our  instructions,  and  the  deep 
interest  they  manifested  in  religious  affairs,  reminded 
us  of  our  associations  at  home. 

"  The  first  three  days  were  spent  in  examining  candi- 
dates for  baptism,  and  conversing  with,  and  instructing 
those  who  had  been  previously  baptized.  Sometimes 
Mr.  Boardman  sat  up  in  a  chair,  and  addressed  them 
for  a  few  moments ;  but  oftener,  I  sat  on  his  sick  couch, 
and  interpreted  his  feeble  whispers.  He  was  nearly 
overcome  by  the  gladdening  prospect,  and  frequently 
wept.  But  the  most  touchingly  interesting  time  was  the 
day  bef  Dre  they  left  us,  when  nineteen  were  baptized.  * 
*  *  Our  road  lay  through  that  part  of  the  town  which 
is  filled  with  monasteries ;  and  over  the  huge  brick  walls 
we  could  see  multitudes  of  priests  and  noviciates  looking 
at  us — I  doubt  not  with  mingled  scorn  and  hatred.     As 


224  LIFE   OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

to  the  common  people,  they  reviled  us  openly,  and  in  so 
cruel  a  manner,  that  my  heart  was  ready  to  burst.  Mr. 
Boardman  was  too  ill  to  walk  or  ride  on  horseback,  and 
there  being  no  other  mode  of  conveyance  in  the  town, 
the  Karens  carried  him  out  on  his  little  cot.  ^  See  !'  said 
the  revilers,  in  bitter  ridicule,  to  two  Tavoyan  disciples, 
*  see  your  teacher  ! — a  living  man  carried  as  if  he  were 
already  dead  !'  But  I  will  not  shock  your  feelings  by 
repeating  their  taunts.  We  pitied  them,  and  passed  on 
in  silence.  At  length  we  reached  a  beautiful  pond, 
nearly  a  mile  in  circumference,  and  bordered  by  green 
trees.  Here  we  stopped — a  party  of  about  fifty  in  num- 
ber— and  kneeling  on  the  grass,  implored  the  Divine 
blessing.  Then  Moung  Ing  administered  the  ordinance 
of  baptism  to  nineteen  believers,  who  were,  a  little  time 
ago,  in  utter  ignorance  of  the  true  God.  *  *  *  During 
this  scene,  grief  and  joy  alternately  took  possession  of 
my  breast.  To  see  so  many  in  this  dark,  heathen  land 
'putting  on  Christ,'  could  but  fill  me  with  joy  and  grat- 
itude ;  but  when  I  looked  at  my  beloved  husband,  lying 
pale  on  his  couch,  and  recollected  the  last  time  we  stood 
by  those  waters,  my  heart  could  not  but  be  sad  at  the 
contrast.  It  was  on  a  similar  occasion,  and  the  surround- 
ing mountains  echoed  with  his  voice,  as  he  pronounced 
the  words,  *I  baptize  thee,'  &c.  Now  his  strength  was 
exhausted,  his  voice  was  weak ;  and  the  thought  that  I 
should  no  more  see  him  administer  this  blessed  ordinance, 
filled  me  with  inexpressible  grief.  But  in  the  evening, 
when  we  came  together  to  receive  from  hiui  the  emblems 
of  our  Saviour's  sufferings,  my  feelings  changed.  He 
made  an  effort,  and  God  helped  him  to  go  through  with 


LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  22b 

the  exercises  alone,  and  without  any  apparent  injury  to 
his  health.  A  breathless  silence  pervaded  the  room, 
excepting  the  sound  of  his  voice,  which  was  so  low  and 
feeble,  that  it  seemed  to  carry  the  assurance  that  we 
should  feast  no  more  together,  till  we  met  in  our  Father's 
kingdom.  When  he  handed  us  the  cup,  it  was  to  me  as 
though  our  Saviour  had  been  in  the  midst ;  and  I  could 
say, 

*  How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  place, 
With  Christ  within  the  doors.' 

"  The  grief  and  anguish  which  I  felt  at  the  baptism, 
had  subsided  into  a  calm ;  and  in  contemplating  the 
agonies  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  I,  for  a  moment,  for- 
got the  bitter  cup  preparing  for  myself." 

Another  year  opened  to  find  the  gentle  martyr  still 
lingering  beside  his  loved  wife,  still  directing  her  efforts 
when  his  own  feeble  voice  could  not  be  exerted  above  a 
whisper,  still  calling  around  him  the  dark-browed  chil- 
dren, for  whose  eternal  welfare  he  had  lain  down  his 
life.  Just  one  year  previous,  over  what  he  then  believed 
to  be  the  death-bed  of  his  wife,  he  had  wi'itten : 

"  She  still  grows  weaker,  and  her  case  is  now  more 
alarming.  All  missionary  labor  has  been  suspended  for 
a  week,  to  allow  me  all  my  time  in  taking  care  of  her. 
I  have  written  to  Maulmain  for  some  of  our  friends  to 
come  to  our  assistance,  and  be  with  us,  at  this  critical 
time ;  and  we  hope  they  will  be  able  and  disposed  to 
comply  with  the  request.  Should  they  come  even  imme- 
diately, I  can  scarcely  hope  for  their  arrival  before  the 
crisis,  or  probably,  fatal  termination,  of  my  dear  part- 
15 


226  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

ner's  disorder.  My  comfort,  in  my  present  affliction,  is 
the  thought,  that  if  to  our  former  trials,  the  Lord  sees 
fit  to  add  that  of  removing  my  beloved  companion.  He 
does  it  with  a  perfect  knowledge  of  all  the  blessedness, 
which  death,  in  its  consequences,  will  confer  on  Aer,  and 
of  all  the  sorrows  and  distresses  which  her  loss  will  occa- 
sion her  bereaved  husband  and  orphan  children,  in  the 
peculiarities  of  our  present  condition.  It  affords  me 
great  relief  to  have  been  assured  by  her,  that  the  bitter- 
ness of  death  is  past,  and  that  heavenly  glories  have 
been  unfolded  in  a  wonderful  and  unexpected  manner  to 
her  view." 

A  year  later,  he  writes  to  his  sister : 

"  During  my  present  protracted  illness,  and  especially 
when  I  was  at  the  worst  stage,  she  was  the  tenderest, 
most  assiduous,  attentive,  and  affectionate  of  nurses. 
Without  her,  I  think  I  should  have  finished  my  career 
in  a  few  days.  And  even  when  our  lamented,  darling 
babe  lay  struggling  in  the  very  arms  of  death,  though 
she  was  with  him  constantly,  night  and  day,  she  did  not 
allow  me  to  suffer  one  moment,  for  lack  of  her  attentions. 
I  cannot  write  what  I  feel  on  this  tender  subject.  But 
oh !  what  kindness  in  our  Heavenly  Father,  that  when 
her  services  were  so  much  needed,  her  health  was  pre- 
served, and  she  had  strength  given  her  to  perform  her 
arduous  labors." 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  227 


CHAPTER   VII. 

DEATH   OF   MR.   BOARDMAN. 

The  Rev.  Francis  Mason,  appointed  to  be  the  assist- 
ant of  Mr.  Boardman,  arrived  at  Tavoy,  in  January, 
1831,  in  time  to  be  with  Mr.  Boardman  in  his  last 
hours. 

Mrs.  Boardman's  beautiful,  touching  letter  to  her  pa- 
rents, gives  such  an  account  of  her  husband's  death,  as 
it  would  be  useless  for  any  other  pen  to  attempt. 

She  writes : 

Tavoy,  March  7th,  1831. 
My  beloved  Parents  : — 

With  a  heart  glowing  with  joy,  and  at  the  same  time 
rent  with  anguish  unutterable,  I  take  my  pen  to  address 
you.  You,  too,  will  rejoice  when  you  hear  what  God 
has  wrought  through  the  instrumentality  of  your  beloved 
son.  Yes,  you  will  bless  God  that  you  were  enabled  to 
devote  him  to  this  blessed  service  among  the  beathen. 
when  I  tell  you  that,  within  the  last  two  months,  fifty- 
seven  have  been  baptized,  all  Karens,  excepting  one,  a 
little  boy  of  the  school,  and  son  of  the  native  governor. 
Twenty-three  were  baptized  in  this  city  by  Moung  Ing, 
and  thirty-four  in  their  native  wilderness  by  Mr.  Mason. 


228  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

Mr.  Mason  arrived  January  23d,  and  on  the  31st,  he, 
with  Mr.  Boardman,  myself,  and  George,  set  out  on  a 
long-promised  tour  among  the  Karens.  Mr.  Boardman 
was  very  feeble,  but  we  hoped  the  change  of  air  and 
scenery  would  be  beneficial.  A  company  of  Karens  had 
come  to  convey  us  out,  Mr.  Boardman  on  his  bed,  and 
me  in  a  chair.  We  reached  the  place  on  the  third  day, 
and  found  they  had  erected  a  bamboo  chapel  on  a.  beau- 
tiful stream  at  the  base  of  a  range  of  mountains.  The 
place  was  central,  and  nearly  one  hundred  persons  had 
assembled,  more  than  half  of  them  applicants  for  bap- 
tism. Oh !  it  was  a  sight  calculated  to  call  forth  the 
liveliest  joy  of  which  human  nature  is  susceptible,  and 
made  me,  for  a  moment,  forget  my  bitter  griefs — a  sight 
far  surpassing  all  I  had  ever  anticipated,  even  in  my 
.most  sanguine  hours.  The  Karens  cooked,  ate,  and  slept 
on  the  ground,  by  the  river-side,  with  no  other  shelter 
than  the  trees  of  the  forest.  Three  years  ago  they  were 
sunk  in  the  lowest  depths  of  ignorance  and  superstition. 
Now,  the  glad  tidings  of  mercy  had  reached  them,  and 
they  were  willing  to  live  in  the  open  air,  away  from  their 
homes,  for  the  sake  of  enjoying  the  privileges  of  the 
gospel. 

My  dear  husband  had  borne  the  journey  better  than 
we  had  feared,  though  he  suffered  from  exhaustion  and 
pain  in  his  side,  which,  however,  was  much  relieved  by  a 
little  attention.  His  spirits  were  unusually  good,  and 
we  fondly  hoped  that  a  few  days'  residence  in  that  de- 
lightful, airy  spot,  surrounded  by  his  loved  Karens, 
would  recruit  and  invigorate  his  weakened  frame.  But 
I  soon  perceived  he  was  failing,  and   tenderly  urged  his 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  229 

return  to  town,  where  he  could  enjoy  the  quiet  of  home, 
and  the  benefit  of  medical  advice.  But  he  repelled  the 
thought  at  once,  saying  he  confidently  expected  improve- 
ment from  the  change,  and  that  the  disappointment 
would  be  worse  for  him  than  staying.  "  And  even," 
added  he,  "  should  my  poor,  unprofitable  life  be  some- 
what shortened  by  staying,  ought  I,  on  that  account 
merely,  to  leave  this  interesting  field  ?  Should  I  not 
rather  stay  and  assist  in  gathering  in  these  dear  scattered 
lambs  of  the  fold  ?  You  know,  Sarah,  that  coming  on  a 
foreign  mission  involves  the  probability  of  a  shorter 
life,  than  staying  in  one's  native  country.  And  yet, 
obedience  to  our  Lord,  and  compassion  for  the  perishing 
heathen,  induced  us  to  make  this  sacrifice.  And  have 
we  ever  repented  that  we  came  ?  No ;  I  trust  we 
can  both  say  that  we  bless  God  for  bringing  us  to  Bur- 
mah,  for  directing  our  footsteps  to  Tavoy,  and  even  for 
leading  us  hither.  You  already  know,  my  love,"  he  con- 
tinued, with  a  look  of  tenderness  never  to  be  foi  gotten, 
"  that  I  cannot  live  long,  I  must  sink  under  this  disease  ; 
and  should  we  go  home  now,  the  all-important  business 
which  brought  us  out,  must  be  given  up,  and  I  might  lin- 
ger out  a  few  days  of  sufi'ering,  stung  with  the  reflection 
that  I  had  preferred  a  few  idle  days,  to  my  Master's  ser- 
vice. Do  not,  therefore,  ask  me  to  go,  till  these  poor 
Karens  have  been  baptized."  I  saw  he  was  right,  but 
my  feelings  revolted.  Nothing  seemed  so  valuable  as  his 
life,  and  I  felt  that  I  could  make  any  sacrifice  to  prolong 
it,  though  it  were  but  for  one  hour.  Still,  a  desire  to 
gratify  him,  if  no  higher  motive,  made  me  silent,  though 
my  heart  ached  to  see  him  so  ill  in  such  a  wretched  place, 


230  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

deprived  of  many  of  the  comforts  of  life,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  indulgences  desirable  in  sickness. 

The  chapel  was  large,  but  open  on  all  sides,  excepting 
a  small  place  built  up  for  Mr.  Mason,  and  a  room  about 
jBve  feet  wide,  and  ten  feet  long,  for  the  accommodation 
of  Mr.  Boardman  and  myself,  with  our  little  boy.  The 
roof  was  so  low,  that  I  could  not  stand  upright,  and  it 
was  but  poorly  enclosed,,  so  that  he  was  exposed  to  the 
burning  rays  of  the  sun  by  day,  and  to  the  cold  winds 
and  damp  fog  by  night.  But  his  mind  was  happy,  and 
he  would  often  say,  "  If  I  live  to  see  this  one  ingather- 
ing, I  may  well  exclaim,  with  happy  Simeon,  Lord,  now 
lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy 
word,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation.  How  many 
ministers  have  wished  they  might  die  in  their  pulpits ; 
and  would  not  dying  in  a  spot  like  this  be  even  more 
blessed  than  dying  in  a  pulpit  at  home  ?  I  feel  that  it 
would." 

Nor  was  it  merely  the  pleasing  state  of  things  around 
him  that  filled  his  mind  with  comfort.  He  would  some- 
times dwell  on  the  infinite  compassion  of  God,  and  his 
own  unworthiness,  till  his  strength  was  quite  exhausted  ; 
and  though  he  told  Mr.  Mason  that  he  had  not  the  rap- 
ture which  he  had  sometimes  enjoyed,  yet  his  mind  was 
calm  and  peaceful ;  and  it  was  plainly  perceptible,  that 
earthly  passions  had  died  away,  and  that  he  was  enjoy- 
ing sweet  foretastes  of  that  rest  into  which  he  was  so  soon^ 
to  enter.  He  would  often  say  to  me,  "  My  meditations 
are  very  sweet,  though  my  mind  seems  as  much  weakened 
as  my  body.  I  have  not  had  that  liveliness  of  feeling, 
which   I  have  sometimes   enjoyed,  owing  to   my  great 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  231 

weakness,  but  I  shall  soon  be  released  from  shackles, 
and  be  where  I  can  praise  God  continually,  without 
weariness.  My  thoughts  delight  to  dwell  on  these  words, 
There  is  no  night  there,'' 

I  felt  that  the  time  of  separation  was  fast  approach- 
ing, and  said  to  him,  "  My  dear,  I  have  one  request  to 
make ;  it  is,  that  you  would  pray  much  for  George,  du- 
ring your  few  remaining  days.  I  shall  soon  be  left 
alone,  almost  the  only  one  on  earth  to  pray  for  him,  and 
I  have  great  confidence  in  your  dying  prayers."  He 
looked  earnestly  at  the  little  boy,  and  said,  "  I  will  try 
to  pray  for  him ;  but  I  trust  very  many  prayers  will  as- 
cend for  the  dear  child  from  our  friends  at  home,  who 
will  be  induced  to  supplicate  the  more  earnestly  for  him, 
when  they  hear  that  he  is  left  fatherless  in  a  heathen 
land." 

On  Wednesday,  while  looking  in  the  glass,  he  seemed 
at  once  to  see  symptoms  of  his  approaching  dissolution, 
and  said,  without  emotion,  "  I  have  altered  greatly — I 
a,m  sinking  into  the  grave  very  fast — just  on  the  verge." 
Mr.  Mason  said  to  him,  "Is  there  nothing  we  can  do  for 
you  ?  Had  we  not  better  call  the  physician  ?  or  shall 
we  try  to  remove  you  into  town  immediately  ?"  After 
a  few  moments'  deliberation,  it  was  concluded  to  defer 
the  baptism  of  the  male  applicants,  and  set  out  for  home 
early  the  next  morning.  Nearly  all  the  female  canhi- 
dates  had  been  examined,  and  as  it  is  difficult  for  them 
to  come  to  town,  it  was  thought  best  that  Mr.  Mason 
should  baptize  them  in  the  evening.  We  knelt,  and  Mr. 
Mason  having  prayed  for  a  blessing  on  the  decision,  we 
sat  down  to  breakfast  with  sorrowful  hearts. 


232  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

While  we  were  at  the  table,  my  beloved  husband  said, 
"  I  shall  soon  be  thrown  away  for  this  world ;  but  1  hope 
the  Lord  Jesus  will  take  me  up.  That  merciful  I  eing, 
who  is  represented  as  passing  by,  and  having  compassion 
on  the  poor  cast  out  infant,  will  not  suffer  me  to  perish. 
Oh  !  I  have  no  hope  but  in  the  wonderful,  condescending, 
infinite  mercy  of  God,  through  his  dear  Son.  I  cast  my 
poor,  perishing  soul,  loaded  with  sin,  as  it  is,  upon  his 
compassionate  arms,  assured  that  all  will  be  for  ever 
safe."  On  seeing  my  tears,  he  said,  ''Are  you  not  re- 
conciled to  the  will  of  God,  my  love  ?"  When  I  told 
him  I  hoped  I  did  not  feel  unreconciled,  he  continued, 
"  I  have  long  ago,  and  many  times  committed  you  and 
our  little  one  into  the  hands  of  our  covenant  God.  He 
is  the  husband  of  the  widow  and  the  father  of  the  fa- 
therless. Leave  thy  fatherless  children,  I  will  preserve 
them  alive ;  and  let  thy  tvidows  trust  in  me,  saith  the 
Lord.  He  will  be  your  stay  and  support,  when  I  am 
gone.  The  separation  will  be  but  short.  Oh,  how  happy 
I  shall  be  to  welcome  you  to  heaven !"  He  then  ad- 
dressed Mr.  Mason,  as  follows  :  "  Brother,  I  am  heartily 
rejoiced,  and  bless  God  that  you  have  arrived,  and  espe- 
cially am  I  gratified,  that  you  are  so  much  interested  for 
the  poor  Karens.  You  will,  I  am  assured,  watch  over 
them,  and  take  care  of  them ;  and  if  some  of  them  turn 
back,  you  will  still  care  for  them.  As  to  my  dear  wife 
and  child,  I  know  you  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  make 
them  comfortable.  Mrs.  B.  will  probably  spend  the  en- 
suing rains  in  Tavoy.  She  will  be  happy  with  you  and 
Mrs.  Mason ;  that  is,  as  happy  as  she  can  be  in  her 
state  of  loneliness.     She  will  mourn  for  me,  and  a  wid- 


LIFE    OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  233 

ow's  state  is  desolate  and  sorrowful  at  best.  But  God  \\ill 
be  infinitely  better  to  her  than  I  have  ever  been."  On  the 
same  day,  he  wished  me  to  read  some  hymns  on  affliction, 
sickness,  death,  &c.  I  took  Wesley's  Hymn  Book,  the  only 
one  we  had  with  us,  and  read  several,  among  others,  the 
one  beginning,  "  Ah,  lovely  appearance  of  death  !" 

On  Wednesday  evening,  thirty-four  persons  were  bap- 
tized. Mr.  Boardman  was  carried  to  the  water  side, 
though  so  weak  that  he  could  hardly  breathe  without  the 
continual  use  of  the  fan  and  the  smelling-bottle.  The 
joyful  sight  was  almost  too  much  for  his  feeble  frame. 
When  we  reached  the  chapel,  he  said  he  would  like  to 
sit  up  and  take  tea  with  us.  We  placed  his  cot  near  the 
table,  and  having  bolstered  him  up,  we  took  tea  together. 
He  asked  the  blessinor  and  did  it  with  his  ricrht  hand 
upraised,  and  in  a  tone  that  struck  me  to  the  heart.  It 
was  the  same  tremulous,  yet  urgent,  and  I  had  almost 
said,  unearthly  voice,  with  which  my  aged  grandfather 
used  to  pray.  We  now  began  to  notice  that  brightening 
of  the  mental  faculties,  which  I  had  heard  spoken  of,  in 
persons  near  their  end. 

After  tea  was  removed,  all  the  disciples  present,  about 
fifty  in  number,  gathered  around  him,  and  he  addressed 
them  for  a  few  moments  in  language  like  the  following : 
'^  I  did  hope  to  stay  with  you  till  after  Lord's  day,  and 
administer  to  you  once  more,  the  Lord's  Supper.  But 
Orod  is  calling  me  away  from  you.  I  am  about  to  die, 
and  shall  soon  be  inconceivably  happy  in  heaven.  Wlien 
I  am  gone,  remember  Avhat  I  have  taught  you ;  and,  oh, 
be  careful  to  persevere  unto  the  end,  that  when  you  die, 
we  may  meet  one  another  in  the  presence  of  God,  never 


234  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

more  to  part.  Listen  to  the  word  of  the  new  teacher 
and  the  teacheress  as  vou  have  done  to  mine.  The 
teacheress  will  be  very  much  distressed.  Strive  to 
lighten  her  burdens,  and  comfort  her  by  your  good  con- 
duct. Do  not  neglect  prayer.  The  eternal  God,  to 
whom  you  pray,  is  unchangeable.  Earthly  teachers  sicken 
and  die,  but  God  remaineth  for  ever  the  same.  Love 
Jesus  Christ  with  all  your  hearts,  and  you  will  be  for 
ever  safe."  This  address  I  gathered  from  the  Karens, 
as  I  was  absent  preparing  his  things  for  the  night. 
Having  rested  a  few  minutes,  he  ojQfered  a  short  prayer, 
and  then,  with  Mr.  Mason's  assistance,  distributed  tracts 
and  portions  of  Scripture  to  them  all.  Early  the  next 
morning,  we  left  for  home,  accompanied  by  nearly  all 
the  males,  and  some  of  the  females,  the  remainder  re- 
turning to  their  homes  in  the  wilderness.  Mr.  Boardman 
was  free  from  pain  during  the  day,  and  there  was  no  un- 
favorable change,  except  that  his  mouth  grew  sore.  But 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  were  overtaken  by 
a  violent  shower  of  rain,  accompanied  by  lightning  and 
thunder.  There  was  no  house  in  sight,  and  we  were 
obliged  to  remain  in  the  open  air,  exposed  to  the  merci- 
less storm.  We  covered  him  with  mats  and  blankets,  and 
held  our  umbrellas  over  him,  all  to  no  purpose.  I  was 
obliged  to  stand  and  see  the  storm  beating  upon  him,  till 
his  mattress  and  pillows  were  drenched  with  rain.  We 
hastened  on,  and  soon  came  to  a  Tavoy  house.  The  in- 
habitants at  first  refused  us  admittance,  and  we  ran  for 
shelter  into  the  out-houses.  The  shed  I  happened  to 
enter,  proved  to  be  the  "house  of  their  gods,"  and  thus 
I  committed  an  almost  unpardonable  offence.     After  some 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON  235 

persuasion,  they  admitted  us  into  the  house,  or  rather 
verandah,  for  they  would  not  allow  us  to  sleep  inside, 
though  I  begged  the  privilege  for  my  sick  husband  with 
tears.  In  ordinary  cases,  perhaps,  they  would  have  been 
hospitable;  but  they  knew  that  Mr.  Boardman  was  a 
teacher  of  a  foreign  religion,  and  that  the  Karens  in  our 
company  had  embraced  that  religion. 

At  evening  worship,  Mr.  Boardman  requested  Mr. 
Mason  to  read  the  thirty-fourth  Psalm.  He  seemed  al- 
most spent,  and'  said,  "  This  poor  perishing  dust  will 
soon  be  laid  in  the  grave ;  but  God  can  employ  other 
lumps  of  clay  to  perform  his  will,  as  easily  as  he  has 
this  poor  unworthy  one."  I  told  him,  I  should  like  to 
sit  up  and  watch  by  him,  but  he  obje'cted,  and  said  in  a 
tender  supplicating  tone,  "  Cannot  we  sleep  together  ?" 
The  rain  still  continued,  and  his  cot  was  wet,  so  that  he 
was  obliged  to  lie  on  the  bamboo  floor.  Having  found  a 
place  where  our  little  boy  could  sleep  without  danger  of 
falling  through  openings  in  the  floor,  I  threw  myself 
down,  without  undressing,  beside  my  beloved  husband. 
I  spoke  to  him  often  during  the  night,  and  he  said  he  felt 
well,  excepting  an  uncomfortable  feeling  in  his  mouth 
and  throat.  This  was  somewhat  relieved  by  frequent 
washings  with  cold  water.  Miserably  wretched  as  his 
situation  was,  he  did  not  complain  ;  on  the  contrary,  his 
heart  seemed  overflowing  with  gratitude.  ".Oh!"  said 
he,  "  how  kind  and  good  our  Father  in  heaven  is  to  me  ; 
how  many  are  racked  with  pain,  while  I,  though  near 
the  grave,  am  almost  free  from  distress  of  body.  1 
suffer  nothing,  nothing  to  what  you,  my  dear  Sarah,  had 
to  endure  last  year,  when  I  thought  I  must  lose  you. 


236  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

And  then  I  have  you  to  move  me  so  tenderly.  I  should 
have  sunk  into  the  grave  ere  this,  but  for  your  assiduous 
attention.  And  brother  Mason  is  as  kind  to  me  as  if  he 
were  my  own  brother.  And  then  how  many,  in  addition 
to  pain  of  body,  have  anguish  of  soul,  while  my  mind  is 
sweetly  stayed  on  God  !"  On  my  saying,  "  I  hope  we 
shall  be  at  home  to-morrow  night,  where  you  can  lie  on 
your  comfortable  bed,  and  I  can  nurse  you  as  I  wish," 
he  said,  "  I  want  nothing  that  the  world  can  afford,  but 
my  wife  and  friends  ;  earthly  conveniences  and  comforts 
are  of  little  consequence  to  one  so  near  heaven.  I  only 
want  them  for  your  sake."  In  the  morning  we  thought 
him  a  little  better,  though  I  perceived,  when  I  gave  him  his 
sago,  that  his  breath  was  very  short.  He,  however  took 
rather  more  nourishment  than  usual,  and  spoke  about  the 
manner  of  his  conveyance  home.  We  ascertained  that 
by  waiting  until  twelve  o'clock,  we  could  go  the  greater 
part  of  the  way  by  water. 

At  about  nine  o'clock,  his  hands  and  feet  grew  cold, 
and  the  affectionate  Karens  rubbed  them  all  the  forenoon, 
excepting  a  few  moments  when  he  requested  to  be  left 
alone.  At  ten  o'clock,  he  was  much  distressed  for  breath, 
and  I  thought  the  long  dreaded  moment  had  arrived.  I 
asked  him,  if  he  felt  as  if  he  was  going  home, — "  Not 
just  yet,"  he  replied.  On  giving  him  a  little  w^ine  and 
water,  he  revived.  Shortly  after,  he  said,  "  You  were 
alarmed  without  cause,  just  now,  dear — I  know  the  reason 
of  the  distress  I  felt,  but  am  too  weak  to  explain  it  to 
you,"  In  a  few  moments  he  said  to  me,  "  Since  you 
spoke  to  me  about  George,  I  have  prayed  for  him  almost 
incessantly — more  than  in  all  my  life  before." 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  237 

It  drew  near  twelve,  the  time  for  us  to  go  to  the  boat. 
We  were  distressed  at  the  thought  of  removing  him,  when 
evidently  so  near  the  last  struggle,  though  we  did  not 
think  it  so  near  as  it  really  was.  But  there  was  no  al- 
ternative. The  chilling  frown  of  the  iron-faced  Tavo- 
yan  was  to  us  as  if  he  was  continually  saying,  "  Be 
gone."  I  wanted  a  little  broth  for  my  expiring  husband, 
but  on  asking  them  for  a  fowl  they  said  they  had  none, 
though  at  that  instant,  on  glancing  my  eye  through  an 
opening  in  the  floor,  I  saw  three  or  four  under  the  house. 
My  heart  was  well  nigh   breaking. 

We  hastened  to  the  boat,  which  was  only  a  few  steps 
from  the  house.  The  Karens  carried  Mr.  Boardman 
first,  and  as  the  shore  was  muddy,  I  was  obliged  to  wait 
till  they  could  return  for  me.  They  took  me  immediate- 
ly to  him ;  but  oh,  the  agony  of  my  soul,  when  I  saw  the 
hand  of  death  was  on  him  !  He  was  looking  me  full  in 
the  face,  but  his  eyes  were  changed,  not  dimmed,  but 
brightened,  and  the  pupils  so  dilated,  that  I  feared  he 
could  not  see  me.  I  spoke  to  him — kissed  him — but  he 
made  no  return,  though  I  fancied  that  he  tried  to  move 
his  lips.  I  pressed  his  hand,  knowing  that  if  he  could, 
he  would  return  the  pressure  ;  but,  alas  !  for  the  first 
time,  he  was  insensible  to  my  love,  and  forever.  I  had 
brought  a  glass  of  wine  and  water  already  mixed,  and  a 
smelling-bottle,  but  neither  was  of  any  avail  to  him  now. 
Agreeably  to  a  previous  request,  I  called  the  faithful  Ka- 
rens, who  loved  him  so  much,  and  whom  he  had  loved 
unto  death,  to  come  and  watch  his  last  gentle  breathings, 
for  there  was  no  strurjo-le. 

Never,  my  dear   parents,  did  one  of  our  poor  fallen 


238  LIFE    or   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

race  have  less  to  contend  with,  in  the  last  enemy.  Little 
George  was  brought  to  see  his  dying  father,  but  he  was 
too  young  to  know  there  was  cause  for  grief.  When 
Sarah  died,  her  father  said  to  George,  "  Poor  little  boy ; 
you  will  not  know  to-morrow  what  you  have  lost  to-day." 
A  deep  pang  rent  my  bosom  at  the  recollection  of  this, 
and  a  still  deeper  one  succeeded  when  the  thought  struck 
me,  that  though  my  little  boy  may  not  know  to-morrow 
what  he  has  lost  to-day,  yet  when  years  have  rolled  by, 
and  he  shall  have  felt  the  unkindness  of  a  deceitful,  sel- 
fish world,  he  will  know. 

Mr.  Mason  wept,  and  the  sorrowing  Karens  knelt 
down  in  prayer  to  God — that  God,  of  whom  their  ex- 
piring teacher  had  taught  them — that  God,  into  whose 
presence  the  emancipated  spirit  was  just  entering — that 
God  with  whom  they  hope  and  expect  to  be  happy  for- 
ever. My  own  feelings  T  will  not  attempt  to  describe. 
You  may  have  some  faint  idea  of  them,  when  you  recol- 
lect what  he  was  to  me,  how  tenderly  I  loved  him,  and  at 
the  same  time,  bear  in  mind  the  precious  promises  to  the 
afflicted. 

"We  came  in  silence  down  the  river,  and  landed  about 
three  miles  from  our  house.  The  Karens  placed  his  pre- 
cious remains  on  his  little  bed,  and  with  feelings  which 
you  can  better  imagine  than  I  describe,  we  proceeded 
homewards.  The  mournful  intelligence  had  reached 
town  before  us,  and  we  were  soon  met  by  Moung  Ing,  the 
Burman  preacher.  At  the  sight  of  us,  he  burst  into  a 
flood  of  tears.  Next,  we  met  the  two  native  Christian, 
sisters,  who  lived  with  us.  But  the  moment  of  most 
bitter  anguish  was  yet   to   come  on   our  arrival   at  the 


LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  239 

house.  They  took  him  into  the  sleeping  room,  and  when 
I  uncovered  his  face,  for  a  few  moments,  nothing  was 
heard  but  reiterated  sobs.  He  had  not  altered — the 
same  sweet  smile,  with  which  he  was  wont  to  welcome  me, 
sat  on  his  countenance.  His  eyes  had  opened  in  bring- 
ing him,  and  all  present  seemed  expecting  to  hear  his 
voice  ;  when  the  thought,  that  it  was  silent  forever,  rushed 
upon  us,  and  filled  us  with  anguish  sudden  and  unutterable. 
There  were  the  Burman  Christians,  who  had  listened  so 
long,  with  edification  and  delight,  to  his  preaching — there 
were  the  Karens,  who  looked  to  him  as  their  guide,  their 
earthly  all — there  were  the  scholars  whom  he  had  taught 
the  way  to  heaven,  and  the  Christian  sisters,  whose  privi- 
lege it  had  been  to  wash,  as  it  were,  his  feet. 

Early  next  morning,  his  funeral  was  attended,  and 
all  the  Europeans  in  the  place,  with  many  natives,  were 
present.  It  may  be  some  consolation  to  you  to  know 
that  everything  was  performed  in  a  decent  manner,  as  if 
he  had  been  buried  in  our  own  dear  native  land.  By  his 
own  request,  he  was  interred  on  the  south  side  of  our 
darling  first-born.  It  is  a  pleasant  circumstance  to  me, 
that  they  sleep  side  hy  side.  But  it  is  infinitely  more 
consoling  to  think,  that  their  glorified  spirits  have  met 
in  that  blissful  world,  where  sin  and  death  never  enter, 
and  sorrow  is  unknown. 

Praying  that  we  may  be  abundantly  prepared  to  en- 
ter into  our  glorious  rest,  I  remain,  my  dear  parents, 
your  deeply  afflicted,  but  most  afi*ectionate  child, 

Sarah  H.  Boardman. 


240  LIFE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  WIDOW  MISSIONARY. 

Mrs.  Boardman,  thus  left  alone  in  the  land  where  her 
whole  married  life  had  been  passed,  turned  with  a  yearn- 
ing heart  to  the  home  of  her  childhood.  She  had  her 
little  son,  the  only  surviving  one  of  the  little  family,  and 
she  knew  how  gladly  her  friends  in  America  would  wel- 
come the  widow  and  fatherless.  Yet  there  lay  around 
her  a  vast  field  for  usefulness.  With  earnest,  humble 
prayer,  she  implored  to  be  directed  aright  in  her  de- 
cisions, and,  conquering  the  home-sick  longings  to  see 
dear,  familiar  faces  once  more,  she  resolved  to  remain  in 
India,  to  pursue  the  task  left  by  her  husband,  to  strive 
to  call  souls  to  an  eternal  home. 

It  required  a  heroism  of  the  most  exalted  nature  to 
form  this  resolution.  By  nature  timid  and  retiring,  en- 
feebled in  health,  widowed,  heart-stricken  by  the  loss  of 
the  loved  ones  who  cculd  brighten  even  her  Indian  home, 
she  could  stifle  all  her  earnest  longings  for  home  sympa- 
thy, to  take  up  the  banner  under  whose  folds  her  hus- 
band had  died,  fighting  for  the  name  of  the  Saviour. 

She  writes : 

'^  When  I  first  stood   by  the  grave  of  my  husband,  I 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  241 

thouglit  that  I  must  go  home  with  George.  But  these 
poor,  inquiring,  and  Christian  Karens,  and  the  school- 
boys, and  the  Burmese  Christians,  would  then  be  left 
without  any  one  to  instruct  them ;  and  the  poor,  stupid 
Tavoyans  would  go  on  in  the  road  to  death,  with  no  one 
to  warn  them  of  their  danger.  How  then,  oh !  how  can 
I  go  ?  We  shall  not  be  separated  long.  A  few  more 
years,  and  we  shall  all  meet  in  yonder  blissful  world, 
whither  those  we  love  have  gone  before  us."  "I  feel 
thankful  that  I  was  allowed  to  come  to  this  heathen  land. 
Oh,  it  is  a  precious  privilege  to  tell  idolaters  of  the  gos- 
pel !  and  when  we  see  them  disposed  to  love  the  Saviour 
we  forget  all  our  privations  and  dangers.  My  beloved 
husband  wore  out  his  life  in  this  glorious  cause ;  and 
that  remembrance  makes  me  more  than  ever  attached  to 
the  work,  and  the  people  for  whose  salvation  he  labored 
till  death." 

She  accordingly  re-opened  her  school,  held  prayer- 
meetings  with  the  Karen  women,  instructed  the  Tavoy- 
ans, and  all  this  was  done  so  quietly,  with  so  unostenta- 
tious a  spirit,  that  never  had  she  appeared  so  lovely,  so 
truly  feminine,  as  when  she  was  fighting  in  her  husband's 
armor,  for  the  Lord's  name,  in  a  heathen  land. 

The  day-schools  which  she  taught,  in  addition  to  the 
pupils  residing  with  her,  were  under  the  care  of  govern- 
ment, and  supported  by  the  Honorable  Company.  It 
was  at  that  time  against  the  will  of  the  Company  to  have 
Christianity  taught  in  the  schools,  and  this  fact  gave  oc- 
casion for  the  following  letter,  which  exemplifies  Mrs. 
Boardman's  firmness  and  the  true  missionary  spirit  in 
irhich  she  labored : 
16 


242  LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON. 

Tavot,  Aug,  24,  1833. 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

Mr.  Mason  has  handed  me,' for  perusal,  the  extract  from 
your  letter  to  government,  which  you  kindly  sent  him.  I 
apprehend  I  have  hitherto  had  wrong  impressions,  in  re- 
ference to  the  ground  on  which  the  Honorable  Company 
patronize  schools  in  their  territories ;  and  I  hope  you 
will  allow  me  to  say  that  it  would  not  accord  with  my 
feelings  and  sentiments  to  banish  religious  instruction 
from  the  schools  under  my  care.  I  think  it  desirable  for 
the  rising  generation  of  this  province  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  useful  science ;  and  the  male  part  of  the 
population  with  the  English  language.  But  it  is  infi- 
nitely more  important  that  they  receive  into  their  hearts 
our  holy  religion,  which  is  the  source  of  so  much  happi- 
ness in  this  state,  and  imparts  the  hope  of  a  glorious  im- 
mortality in  the  world  to  come.  Parents  and  guardians 
must  know  that  there  is  more  or  less  danger  of  their 
children  deserting  the  faith  of  their  ancestors,  if  placed 
under  the  care  of  a  Foreign  Missionary ;  and  the  exam- 
ple of  some  of  the  pupils  is  calculated  to  increase  such 
apprehensions.  Mr.  Boardman  baptized  into  the  Chris- 
tian religion  several  of  his  scholars.  One  of  the  number 
is  now  a  devoted  preacher;  and,  notwithstanding  the 
decease  of  their  beloved  and  revered  teacher,  they  all, 
with  one  unhappy  exception,  remain  firm  in  the  Christian 
faith. 

The  success  of  the  Hindoo  College,  where  religious  in- 
struction was  interdicted,  may,  perhaps,  be  urged  in 
favor  of  pursuing  a  similar  course  in  schools  here.     But 


LIFE    OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  243 

it  strikes  me  tliat  the  case  is  diflferent  here,  even  admit- 
ting their  course  to  be  right.  The  overthrow  of  a  system 
80  replete  with  cruel  and  impure  rites,  as  the  Hindoo,  or 
so  degrading  as  the  Mahometan,  might  be  matter  of  joj, 
though  no  better  religion  were  introduced  in  its  stead. 
But  the  Burman  system  of  morality  is  superior  to  that 
of  the  nations  around  them,  and  to  the  heathen  of  an- 
cient times,  and  is  surpassed  only  by  the  divine  precepts 
of  our  blessed  Saviour.  Like  all  other  merely  human 
institutions,  it  is  destitute  of  saving  power ;  but  its  in- 
fluence on  the  people,  so  far  as  it  is  felt,  is  salutary,  and 
their  moral  character  will,  I  should  think,  bear  a  com- 
parison with  that  of  any  heathen  nation  in  the  world. 
The  person  who  should  spend  his  days  in  teaching  them 
mere  human  science,  (though  he  might  undermine  their 
false  tenets,)  by  neglecting  to  set  before  them  brighter 
hopes  and  purer  principles,  would,  I  imagine,  live  to  very 
little  purpose.  For  myself,  sure  I  am,  I  should  at  last 
suffer  the  overwhelming  conviction  of  having  labored  in 
vain. 

With  this  view  of  things,  you  will  not,  my  dear  sir,  be 
surprised  at  my  saying  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  pursue 
a  course  so  utterly  repugnant  to  my  feelings,  and  so  con- 
trary to  my  judgment,  as  to  banish  religious  instruction 
from  the  schools  in  my  charge.  It  is  what  I  am  confi 
dent  you  yourself  would  not  wish ;  but  I  infer  from  a 
remark  in  your  letter  that  such  are  the  terms  on  which 
government  affords  patronage.  It  would  be  wrong  to 
deceive  the  patrons  of  the  schools ;  and  if  my  supposition 
is  correct,  I  can  do  no  otherwise  than  request  that  the 
monthly  allowance  be  withdrawn.     It  will  assist  in  es- 


244  LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

tablishing  schools  at  Maulmain,  on  a  plan  more  consonant 
with  the  wishes  of  government  than  mine  has  ever  been. 
Meanwhile,  1  trust,  I  shall  be  able  to  represent  the  claims 
of  mj  pupils  in  such  a  manner  as  to  obtain  support  and 
countenance  from  those  who  would  wish  the  children  to 
be  taught  the  principles  of  the  Christian  faith. 
Allow  me,  my  dear  sir,  to  subscribe  myself, 
Yours,  most  respectfully, 

Sarah  H.  Boardman. 

The  following  answer  was  returned : 

My  Dear  Madam  : 

I  cannot  do  otherwise  than  honor  and  respect  the  sen- 
timents conveyed  in  your  letter,  now  received.  You  will, 
I  hope,  give  me  credit  for  sincerity,  when  I  assure  you 
that  in  alluding  to  the  system  of  instruction  pursued  by 
you,  it  has  ever  been  a  source  of  pride  to  me  to  point 
out  the  quiet  way  in  which  your  scholars  have  been  made 
acquainted  with  the  Christian  religion.  My  own  govern- 
ment in  no  way  proscribes  the  teaching  of  Christianity. 
The  observations  in  my  official  letter  are  intended  to 
support  what  I  have  before  brought  to  the  notice  of  gov- 
ernment, that  all  are  received,  who  present  themselves 
for  instruction  at  your  schools,  without  any  stipulation 
as  to  their  becoming  members  of  the  Christian  faith. 

I  cannot  express  to  you  how  much  your  letter  has  dis^- 
tressed  me.  It  has  been  a  subject  of  consideration  with 
me,  for  some  months  past,  how  I  could  best  succeed  in  es- 
ta^jlishing  a  college  here,  the  scholars  of  which  were  to 


LIFE   OP   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  245 

have  been  instructed  on  the  same  system  which  you  have 
80  successfully  pursued.     Believe  me, 

Yours  very  faithfully, 

A.  D.  Maingy. 

Afterwards  government  made  an  appropriation  for 
schools  "  to  be  conducted  on  the  plan  of  Mrs.  Board- 
man's  schools  at  Tavoy." 

The  love  for  the  Karens  did  not  die  away  from  Mrs. 
Boardman's  heart  after  her  husband's  death.  She, 
woman,  and  delicate,  actually  made  the  same  tours  to 
their  homes  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  make,  carry- 
ing with  her  words  of  holy  truth  to  their  inquiring  minds, 
facing  every  hardship  and  danger  in  the  one  great  cause. 

I  quote  from  Fanny  Forrester's  life  of  Mrs.  Judson 
the  following  account  of  one  of  her  journeys  to  the 
Karens  : — 

"  A  single  anecdote  is  related  by  Captain  F ,  a 

British  officer,  stationed  at  Tavoy ;  and  he  used  to  dwel^ 
with  much  unction  on  the  lovely  apparition,  which  once 
greeted  him  among  those  wild,  dreary  mountains.  He 
had  left  Tavoy,  accompanied  by  a  few  followers,  I  think 
on  a  hunting  expedition,  and  had  strolled  far  into  the 
jungle.  The  heavy  rains,  which  deluge  this  country  in 
the  summer,  had  not  yet  commenced  ;  but  they  were  neai 
at  h?nd,  and  during  the  night  had  sent  an  earnest  of 
their  coming,  which  was  anything  but  agreeable.  All 
along  his  path  hung  the  dripping  trailers,  and  beneath 
his  feet  were  the  roots  of  vegetables,  half-bared,  and  half- 
imbedded  in  mud  ;  while  the  dark  clouds,  with  the  rair 
almost  incessantly  pouring  from   them,  and   the  crazy 


246  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

clusters  of  bamboo  huts,  which  appeared  here  and  there 
in  the  gloomy  waste,  and  were  honored  by  the  name  of 
village,  made  up  a  scene  of  desolation  absolutely  inde- 
scribable. A  heavy  shower  coming  up  as  he  approached 
a  zayat  by  the  way-side,  and  far  from  even  one  of  those 
primitive  villages,  he  hastily  took  refuge  beneath  the 
roof.  Here,  in  no  very  good  humor  with  the  w^orld,  es- 
pecially Asiatic  jungles  and  tropic  rains,  he  sulkily 
*  whistled  for  want  of  thought,'  and  employed  his  eyes 
in  watching  the  preparations  for  his  breakfast. 

"  '  Uh  !  what  wretched  corners  the  world  has,  hidden 
beyond  its  oceans  and  behind  its  trees !' 

"  Just  as  he  had  made  this  sage  mental  reflection,  he 
was  startled  by  the  vision  of  a  fair,  smiling  face  in  front 
of  the  zayat,  the  property  of  a  dripping  figure,  which 
seemed  to  his  surprised  imagination  to  have  stepped  that 
moment  from  the  clouds.  But  the  party  of  wild  Karen 
followers,  which  gathered  round  her,  had  a  very  human 
air ;  and  the  slight  burdens  they  bore,  spoke  of  human 
wants  and  human  cares.  The  lady  seemed  as  much  sur- 
prised as  himself;  but  she  curtsied  with  ready  grace  as 
she  made  some  pleasant  remark  in  English  ;  and  then 
turned  to  retire.  Here  was  a  dilemma.  He  could  not 
suifer  the  lady  to  go  out  into  the  rain,  but — his  miserable 
accommodations,  and  still  more  miserable  breakfast ! 
He  hesitated  and  stammered;  but  her  quick  apprehension 
had  taken  in  all  at  a  glance,  and  she  at  once  relieved 
him  from  his  embarrassment.  Mentioning  her  name  and 
errand,  she  added,  smiling,  that  the  emergencies  of  the 
wilderness  were  not  new  to  her ;  and  now  she  begged 
leave  to  put  her  own  breakfast  with  his,  and  make  up  a 


tllB  OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  247 

pleasant  morning  party.  Then  beckoning  to  her  Karens, 
she  spoke  a  few  unintelligible  words,  and  disappeared 
under  a  low  shed — a  mouldering  appendage  of  the  zayat. 
She  soon  returned  with  the  same  sunny  face,  and  in  dry 
clothing;  and  very  pleasant,  indeed,  was  the  interview 
between  the  pious  officer  and  the  lady-missionary.  They 
were  friends  afterward ;  and  the  circumstances  of  their 
first  meeting  proved  a  very  charming  reminiscence." 


248  LIFE   OF  SARAH   B.   JUDSOV. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

MARRIAGE    TO    MR.    JUDSON — DECLINING     HEALTH — ^LITER 
ARY  LABORS — SEPARATION   FROM    HER   SON. 

In  1834,  April  10th,  Mrs.  Boardman  married  Mr. 
Judson.  A  warm  attachment,  founded  upon  mutual  re- 
spect and  esteem,  had  long  existed  between  them,  and, 
in  her  many  trials,  after  her  husband's  death,  Mr.  Judson 
was  a  consoler  and  adviser  on  every  occasion  when  he 
could  be  SO.  She  wrote  of  him,  after  years  of  married 
life  together :  "  He  is  a  complete  assemblage  of  all  that 
a  woman's  heart  could  wish  to  love  and  honor." 

The  years  passed  among  the  Karens  had  made  con- 
verts capable  and  willing  to  instruct  their  less  fortunate 
brethren ;  and  Mrs.  Judson,  still  keeping  up  her  love  for 
them,  and  interest  in  their  welfare,  was  ever  ready, 
amidst  her  new  duties,  to  advise  or  assist  the  laborers  in 
the  field  she  had  left.  In  her  new  home,  great  changes 
had  taken  place.  When  she  left  her  first  home  in  Bur- 
mah,  for  Tavoy,  in  1828,  there  was  in  Maulmain  but 
one  church,  with  but  three  native  members.  When  she 
returned  in  1834,  there  was  one  Burmese  church,  with 
one  hundred  members,  and  two  Karen,  containing,  to- 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  249 

gether,  about  the  same  number.  A  year  after  her  mar- 
riage, Mrs.  Judson  wrote  to  a  friend : 

"  I  can  truly  say,  that  the  mission  cause,  and  mission- 
ary labor,  are  increasingly  dear  to  me,  every  month  of 
my  life.  I  am  now  united  with  one,  whose  heavenly 
spirit  and  example  is  deeply  calculated  to  make  me 
more  devoted  to  the  cause  than  I  have  ever  been  be- 
fore. Oh,  that  I  may  profit  by  such  precious  advan- 
tages !" 

A  government  school,  at  Maulmain,  was  offered  to  her 
immediately  upon  her  arrival ;  but  seeing  before  her  new 
cares  and  duties,  she  declined  the  charge  of  it. 

Mrs.  Judson  now  undertook  a  new  duty.  There  were 
in  Maulmain,  a  large  number  of  people  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  British  government,  called  by  the  Bur- 
mans,  Takings,  by  the  English,  Peguans,  who,  in  lan- 
guage, dress,  everything  but  religious  belief,  were  entirely 
distinct  from  the  Burmese.  A  great  interest  was  felt  by 
Mr.  Judson  for  these  people,  and  Mrs.  Judson  soon 
shared  it.  She  began  immediately  to  study  their  lan- 
guage, and  made  much  progress. 

Her  time  was  indeed  fully  occupied.  She  had  the 
entire  charge  of  female  prayer  meetings  in  the  church 
of  which  her  husband  was  pastor ;  she  undertook  cheer- 
fully the  numerous  duties  of  a  pastor's  wife,  visiting  the 
sick,  cheering  the  sorrowful,  praying  with  the  erring,  and 
instructing  the  ignorant. 

Soon  after  her  arrival  at  Maulmain,  her  health  again 
declined,  and  her  old  malady  returned  with  fearful 
violence ;  after  many  weeks  of  dangerous  illness,  her 
health  slowly  returned,  and  for  many  years  continued 


250  LIFE   OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

good.     Slie  attributed  this  to  regular  exercise.     I  give 
the  account  in  her  own  words  : 

"  When  I  first  came  up  from  Tavoy,  I  was  thin  and 
pale ;  and  though  I  called  myself  pretty  well,  I  had  no 
appetite  for  food,  and  was  scarce  able  to  walk  half  a  mile. 
Soon  after,  I  was  called  to  endure  a  long  and  severe  at- 
tack of  illness,  which  brought  me  to  the  brink  of  the  grave. 
I  was  never  so  low  in  any  former  illness,  and  the  doctor 
who  attended  me,  has  since  told  me,  that  he  had  no  hope 
of  my  recovery ;  and  that  when  he  came  to  prescribe  med- 
icine for  me,  it  was  more  out  of  regard  to  the  feelings  of 
my  husband,  than  from  any  prospect  of  its  afibrding  me  re- 
lief. I  lay  confined  to  my  bed,  week  after  week,  unable  to 
move,  except  as  Mr.  Judson  sometimes  carried  me  in  his 
arms  from  the  bed  to  the  couch  for  a  change;  and  even 
this  once  brought  on  a  return  of  the  disease,  which  very 
nearly  cost  me  my  life.  *  *  I  never  shall  forget  the  pre- 
cious seasons  enjoyed  on  that  sick  bed.  Little  George 
will  tell  you  about  it,  if  you  should  ever  see  him.  I 
think  he  will  always  remember  some  sweet  conversations 
I  had  with  him,  on  the  state  of  his  soul,  at  that  time. 
Dear  child !  his  mind  was  very  tender,  and  he  would 
weep  on  account  of  his  sins,  and  would  kneel  down  and 
pray  with  all  the  fervor  and  simplicity  of  childhood. 
He  used  to  read  the  Bible  to  me  every  day,  and  commit 
little  hymns  to  memory  by  my  bedside.  *  *  It  pleased 
my  Heavenly  Father  to  raise  me  up  again,  although  I 
was  for  a  long  time  very  weak.  As  soon  as  I  was  able, 
I  commenced  riding  on  horseback,  and  used  to  take  a 
long  ride  every  morning  before  sunrise.  After  a  patient 
trial,  I  found  that  riding  improved  my  health,  though 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  251 

many  times  I  should  have  become  discouraged,  and  given 
it  up,  but  for  the  perseverance  of  my  husband.  After 
riding  almost  every  day,  for  four  or  five  months,  I  found 
my  health  so  much  improved,  and  gained  strength  so 
fast,  that  I  began  to  think  walking  might  be  substituted. 
About  this  time,  my  nice  little  pony  died,  and  we  com- 
menced a  regular  system  of  exercise  on  foot,  walking  at 
a  rapid  pace,  far  over  the  hills  beyond  the  town,  before 
the  sun  was  up,  every  morning.  We  have  continued  this 
perseveringly  up  to  the  present  time;  and,  during 
these  years,  my  health  has  been  better  than  at  any 
time  previous,  since  my  arrival  in  India;  and  my 
constitution  seems  to  have  undergone  an  entire  reno- 
vation." 

Her  literary  labors  recommenced  with  returning  health. 
During  her  residence  in  India,  she  translated  Bunyan's 
Pilgrim's  Progress,  into  Burmese ;  translated  from  Bur- 
mese to  Peguan,  several  tracts,  a  Life  of  Christ,  which 
she  had  previously  translated  from  English  to  Burmese, 
and  the  New  Testament. 

Mrs.  Judson  now  resolved  to  send  her  beloved  son, 
George,  the  only  one  of  Mr.  Boardman's  children,  who 
survived  his  father,  away  from  India.  She  knew  that  it 
was  impossible,  with  her  manifold  duties,  and  the  limited 
means  of  education  within  her  reach,  to  make  of  her  son 
such  a  man  as  she  hoped  for,  one  to  fill  his  father's 
post  in  the  land  of  the  heathen.  She  writes,  at  this 
period  : 

"  After  deliberation,  accompanied  with  tears,  and 
agony,  and  prayers,  I  came  to  the  conviction  that  it  was 
my  duty  to  send  away  my  only  child,  my  darling  George, 


252  LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

and  yesterday  he  bade  me  a  long  farewell.  0,  my  d^ni* 
sister !  my  heart  is  full,  and  I  long  to  disburden  it  by 
writing  you  whole  pages ;  but  my  eyes  are  rolling  down 
with  tears,  and  I  can  scarcely  hold  my  pen.  *  *  Oh !  I 
shall  never  forget  his  looks,  as  he  stood  by  the  door  and 
gazed  at  me  for  the  last  time.  His  eyes  were  filling  with 
tears,  and  his  little  face  red  with  suppressed  emotion. 
But  he  subdued  his  feelings,  and  it  was  not  till  he  had 
turned  away,  and  was  going  down  the  steps,  that  he  burst 
into  a  flood  of  tears.  I  hurried  to  my  room,  and  on  my 
knees,  with  my  whole  heart,  gave  him  up  to  God,  and 
my  bursting  heart  was  comforted  from  above.  I  felt 
such  a  love  to  poor  perishing  souls,  as  made  me  willing 
to  give  up  all,  that  I  might  aid  in  the  work  of  bringing 
these  wretched  heathen  to  Christ.  The  love  of  God, 
manifested  in  sending  his  only  begotten  and  well  beloved 
Son,  into  this  world,  to  die  for  our  sins,  touched  my 
heart,  and  I  felt  satisfaction  in  laying  upon  the  altar,  my 
only  son.  My  reason  and  judgment  tell  me  that  the 
good  of  my  child  requires  that  he  should  be  sent  to  Ame- 
rica ;  and  this,  of  itself,  would  support  me  in  some  little 
degree ;  but  when  I  view  it  as  a  sacrifice,  made  for  the 
sake  of  Jesus,  it  becomes  a  delightful  2^'i"ivilege.  I  feel 
a  great  degree  of  confidence  that  George  will  be  con- 
verted, and  I  cannot  but  hope  he  will  one  day  return  to 
Burmah,  a  missionary  of  the  Cross,  as  his  dear  father 
was.  *  *  His  dear  papa  took  him  down  to  Amherst  in 
a  boat.  He  held  him  in  his  arms  all  the  way  ;  and  he  says 
his  conversation  was  very  affectionate  and  intelligent.  He 
saw  his  little  bed  prepared  in  the  cabin,  and  everything 
as  comfortable   and  pleasant  as  possible ;  and  then,  as 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  253 

George  expressed  it,  returned  to  '  comfort  mamma.* 
And  much  did  I  need  comfort,  for  this  is,  in  some  respects, 
the  severest  trial  I  have  ever  met  with." 

I  quote  one  more  letter,  written  after  long  years  of 
separation  from  her  son  : 

My  beloved  George  : 

The  last  letter  which  I  received  from  America, 
respecting  you,  rejoiced  my  heart  more  than  the 
reception  of  any  letter  before  in  my  life.  It  was  from 
Dr.  Bolles,  and  contained  the  joyful  intelligence  of 
your  hopeful  conversion  to  God.  Still  I  am  not  fully 
satisfied — I  am  longing  to  hear  that  you  "  daily  grow 
in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ." 

This  is  the  fifteenth  anniversary  of  your  birth-day ; 
and  I  feel  it  to  be — I  had  almost  said,  the  most  important 
period  in  your  life.  At  least,  it  is  very,  very  important, 
as  on  the  turn  which  you  now  take,  your  course  through 
life  will  probably  depend.  Oh,  how  comforting  to  my 
anxious  heart  is  the  thought,  that  you  have  decided  on 
the  most  momentous  of  all  subjects,  and  that  you  have 
decided  right ;  that  you  have  determined  to  identify  your- 
self with  the  people  of  God,  by  leading  the  life  of  an 
humble  follower  of  the  blessed  Jesus  !  Oh,  how  full  of 
anguish  would  my  soul  be,  now  that  you  have  arrived  at 
this  age,  had  I  not  a  hope  that  you  were  a  Christian  ! 
Blessed  be  God  !  I  have  this  sweet,  this  cheering,  this 
most  consoling  of  all  hopes,  to  sustain  my  heart  when 
ready  to  sink,  as  it  measures  the  distance  between  us,  or 


254  LIFE   OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

looks  back  upon  my  long  separation  from  you,  my  dar- 
ling, eldest  son.  Tears  come  to  my  eyes,  and  I  am  ready 
to  throw  aside  my  pen,  and  obey  the  strong  impulse  to 
weep,  as  I  think  of  the  endearments  of  your  infancy, 
and  the  sweetness  of  your  childhood,  when  your  soft 
cheek  was  pressed  to  mine,  and  all  your  little  griefs 
buried  and  forgotten  in  my  bosom.  I  always  think  of 
you  as  the  little,  innocent,  prattling  boy  you  then  were. 
I  would  fain  ever  think  of  you  as  such ;  but  the  picture 
must  change,  and  I  must  try  to  imagine  you  growing  up 
to  be  a  tall,  young  man. 

I  said  before,  that  it  is  an  unspeakable  joy  to  my 
heart  that  you  are  hopefully  pious.  Still,  I  am  far  from 
being  free  from  anxiety  on  your  account.  There  is,  you 
know,  a  possibility  of  our  being  deceived.  And  even  if 
we  are  able  to  say,  as  we  doubtless  may  be,  "I  know  that 
I  have  passed  from  death  unto  life," — yet  the  Christian's 
path  is  beset  with  snares  and  dangers.  No  doubt  you 
have  already  had  severe  struggles  with  remaining  sin  in 
your  heart.  I  feel  strong  and  peculiar  desires,  that  you 
become  a  truly  conscientious,  prayerful,  devoted  Christian. 
Be  not  contented  with  possessing  a  mere  hope  in  Christ, 
that  He  will  pardon  your  sins  and  save  you  at  last. 
Live  with  religion  in  daily  exercise  in  your  soul.  Then 
you  will — you  must  be  happy.  Can  you  resolve  to  de- 
vote your  whole  life  to  the  service  of  your  blessed  Sa- 
viour ?  Do  you  really  give  Him  your  heart,  and  determine 
(with  His  assistance,  which  he  will  surely  grant  in  answer 
to  prayer)  never  to  do,  nor  say,  nor  think  anything  con- 
trciry  to  His  holy  will  ?     True  religion,  always  in  exercise, 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  266 

affords  the  only  certain  retreat  from  the  sorrows,  and 
trials,  and  sins  of  this  mortal  state. 

"  Draw  nigh  unto  Cfod,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  unto 
you:' 

' '  Pray  without  ceasing,  * ' 

"  Watch  unto  prayer^* 


266  LIFE   OF  SARAH  B.   JUDS05. 


CHAPTER  X. 

MR.  JUDSON's  illness. 

Six  years  glided  on  peacefully  after  Mrs.  Judson's 
marriage,  each  hour  usefully  employed,  and  every  day 
cheered  by  the  mutual  love  existing  between  herself  and 
her  husband.  Children  came  to  lighten  their  foreign 
home,  little  blue  eyed  blossoms,  like  their  mother,  to  speak 
to  the  parents'  hearts  of  little  ones  in  their  far  distant 
country.  But  another  trial  came  to  the  devoted  mis- 
sionaries. Mr.  Judson  was  taken,  in  1839,  with  the  first 
pulmonary  attack,  the  forerunner  of  the  fatal  disease 
which,  years  later,  terminated  his  career  of  usefulness. 

A  sea  voyage  was  absolutely  necessary  for  his  re- 
covery, and,  it  being  impossible  for  Mrs.  Judson  to  desert 
her  home  duties,  he  went  alone.  I  quote  one  of  his  let- 
ters, and  one  of  hers  to  show  the  warm  love  that  existed 
between  them,  and  the  gentle,  meek  spirit  with  which 
she  bore  the  trial  of  parting.     She  writes : 

"  As  soon  as  you  left  the  house,  I  ran  to  your  dress- 
ing-room, and  watched  you  from  the  window.  But  you 
did  not  look  up — oh,  how  I  wished  you  would  !  Then  I 
hastened  to  the  back  verandah,  and  caught  one  last 
glimpse  of  you  through  the  trees ;  *  *  *  and  I  gave 
vent  to  my  feelings  in  a  flood  of  tears. 


LIFE    OF   SARA;     6.    JUDSON.  257 

*'  Then  the  children  came  around  me,  asking  to  go  to 
the  wharf,  and  the  women  looked  their  wishes ;  and, 
though  I  said  '  no'  to  the  little  ones,  I  could  not  deny 
the  others.  After  they  were  gone  I  took  all  three  of 
lui-  darlings  into  your  own  little  room,  told  them  why 

m  had  gone  away,  and  asked  Abby  Ann  and  Adoniram 
if  they  wished  me  to  ask  God  to  take  care  of  papa  while 
he  was  gone.  They  said  'yes,'  and  so  I  put  Elnathan 
down  on  the  floor  to  play,  and,  kneeling  beside  the  other 
two,  committed  you  and  ourselves  to  the  care  of  our 
Heavenly  Father." 

He  writes  to  her  : 

ON  BOARD  THE  SNIPE,  BOUND  TO  CALCUTTA. 

February  21,  1839. 
My  DEAR  Love  : 

I  wrote  you  yesterday,  by  the  pilot,  and  enclosed  my 
letter,  with  one  to  brother  Haswell.  The  afternoon  we 
lay  at  anchor,  outside  the  buoy ;  and,  though  in  the  face 
of  the  sea  breeze,  my  cough  was  rather  troublesome  all 
day  and  evening.  Perhaps  it  was  one  of  my  bad  days. 
I  passed  a  poor  night,  a  little  sick  from  the  motion  of 
the  vessel ;  and  this  morning  put  on  Dr.  Richardson's 
pitch  plaster,  which  my  fellow-consumptive  assures  me 
is  the  best  thing  in  the  world.  I  have  begun  this  letter 
more  for  my  own  amusement  than  yours  ;  for  what  can 
a  poor  invalid,  in  my  circumstances,  write,  that  will  be 
interesting  even  to  an  affectionate  wife  ? 

We  are  now  moving  forward,  with  a  light  wind.     The 
slower  the  better,  I  suppose,  for  me.     How  did  you  and 
the  children  pass  the  night,  or  rather,  the  two  nights, 
17 


258  LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

that  we  have  been  separated  ?  I  think  of  you,  and  the 
house,  and  the  chapel,  and  the  compound,  and  all  the 
scenes,  and  occupations,  and  endearments  that  are  passed 
— passed,  perhaps,  never  to  return  ;  but  they  will  return, 
if  not  in  this  world,  yet  in  another,  purified,  exalted, 
when  all  this  mortal  shall  be  invested  with  immortality. 

February  22.  Much  better  since  last.  Very  little 
cough.  Spent  all  the  evening,  till  nine  o'clock,  on  deck, 
without  any  inconvenience.  Wished  you  were  with  me, 
basking  under  the  clear  moonlight,  and  inhaling  the  soft 
sea  air. 

March  3,  Sunday.  Have  not  attempted  to  write  since 
the  last  date,  in  consequence  of  the  motion  of  the  vessel, 
occasioned  by  a  light  cargo  and  a  head  wind.  We  are 
now  steering  north,  and  expect  to  reach  the  pilot  ground 
in  three  or  four  days.  My  cough  has  almost  left  me. 
But  there  is  a  sorenss  remaining  which  I  feel  particularly 
when  the  air  is  cold.  I  have  taken  oif  the  plaster  and 
done  with  licorice.  I  am  decidedly  convalescent  at  sea. 
Whether  my  complaint  will  return  on  land,  remains  yet 
to  be  seen.  If  I  continue  to  get  better,  I  shall  probably 
return  in  this  vessel.  I  hope  to  hear  from  you  by  a 
steamer,  as  soon  as  I  arrive  in  Calcutta.  It  seems  an 
age  since  I  left  Maulmain.  The  entire  change  of  scene, 
succeeding  such  a  monotonous  life  as  mine  has  been  for 
several  years,  contributes  to  the  illusion.  I  have  found 
your  beautiful  braid  of  hair;  and  I  hunted  for  some 
further  note  or  token,  but  in  vain.  Everything  about 
me  reminds  me  of  your  care  and  love.  I  feel  that  no 
wife  ever  deserved  her  husband's  gratitude  and  love 
more  than  you.     May  Qod  pregerve  you  a»d  the  children 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  259 

until  we  meet  again,  or  prepare  me  to  bear  whatever  dis- 
tressing dispensation  he  may  have  decreed. 

March  5.  Within  a  hundred  miles  of  the  pilot  ground. 
No  wind.  I  don't  care  how  long  we  lie  here.  Yester- 
day I  had  a  slight  touch  of  cough,  which  I  fancied  was 
brought  on  by  the  vicinity  to  land.  But  perhaps  not. 
I  have  written  letters  to  your  parents  and  to  George, 
also  to  Comstock  and  Cutter,  Dr.  Anderson  and  Mr. 
Peck. 

Some  months  later  Mrs.  Judson  writes  to  Dr.  Judson's 
mother,  thus : — 

MRS.  SARAH  JUDSON,  TO  DR.  JUDSON'S  MOTHER. 

Maulmain,  October  30,  1839. 
My  dear  Mother  : 

I  have,  during  the  past  year,  suffered  deep  anxiety 
and  gloomy  foreboding  on  account  of  my  dear  husband's 
health.  But  God  has  been  merciful  beyond  our  fears, 
and  so  far  restored  him  that  he  was  able  to  preach  last 
Lord's-day,  the  first  time  for  about  ten  months.  His  dis- 
course was  short,  and  he  spoke  low.  I  felt  exceedingly 
anxious  respecting  his  making  the  attempt,  but  he  has  ex- 
perienced no  ill  effects  from  it  as  yet.  How  pleased  you 
would  have  been  to  see  the  joy  beaming  from  the  coun- 
tenances of  the  dear  native  Christians,  as  they  saw  their 
beloved  and  revered  pastor  once  more  take  the  desk  ! 
He  applies  himself  very  closely  to  study,  though  he  is 
still  far  from  well.  He  takes  cold  very  easily,  and  still 
feels  a  slight  uneasiness  in  the  chest  and  left  side.  But 
he  is  so  much  better  than  he  was,  that  I  am  comforted 


260  LIFE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

with  the  hope  that  he  will  soon  be  entirely  restored  to 
health.  He  is  now  revising  the  Scriptures  for  a  second 
edition,  quarto.  They  have  already  proceeded  in  print- 
ing as  far  as  Psalms.  He  revises  as  they  print,  and 
often  finds  himself  closely  driven.  But  God  gives  him 
strength  equal  to  his  day.  With  much  love  to  sister 
Abigail,  I  remain,  my  dear  mother, 

Your  affectionate  daughter, 

Sarah  Jupson. 


LIFE   OF  SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  261 


CHAPTER  XI. 

A  TEAR  OF  TRIAL. 

In  the  course  of  the  ensuing  year,  another  little  son 
was  added  to  the  home  circle,  but  it  was  a  year  of  the 
most  severe  trial  and  suffering  to  all  the  little  family. 

Two  letters,  written  by  Dr.  Judson  to  his  mother  and 
sister,  tell  the  sad  story  of  sickness  and  death.  He 
writes : 

TO  HIS  MOTHER  AND  SISTER. 

Serampore,  July  24,  1841. 
Dear  Mother  and  Sister  : 

We  h£j,ve  suffered  a  great  deal  of  sickness  since  I  wrote 
you  last,  in  April.  Wife  was  confined  to  her  bed  for  a 
long  time,  and  appeared  to  be  in  a  decline.  Abby  Ann, 
Adoniram,  and  Henry  became  worse  with  chronic  dys- 
entery, until  the  two  eldest  were,  at  different  times,  con- 
sidered  past  recovery.  When  they  were  very  ill,  no  one 
could  take  care  of  them  but  me ;  so  that  I  was  up  every 
]iour  of  the  night,  and  sometimes  scarcely  lay  down  the 
whole  night.  The  doctors  then  ordered  us  to  sea,  as  the 
only  means  of  saving  life  ;  and  all  my  brethren  and 
friends  were  very  urgent  to  have  us  go,  though  no  one 


262  LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

hardly  hoped  that  we  could  all  get  on  board  ship  alive. 
How  I  managed  to  break  up  housekeeping,  and  pack  up, 
and  get  my  sick  family  and  all  the  things  aboard,  I  can 
hardly  tell,  now  it  is  passed.  But  it  was  done  somehow, 
and  the  children  were  stowed  away  in  a  range  of  berths 
I  had  made  on  one  side  of  the  cabin,  and  wife  on  the 
other,  while  I  occupied  a  movable  cot  between  the  parties. 
The  motion  of  the  vessel,  and  the  sea  air  soon  had  a  good 
eifect  on  all  the  invalids  ;  I  left  off  giving  medicines, 
and  they  daily  improved.  We  embarked  on  the  26th  of 
June  and  arrived  before  Calcutta  the  11th  of  July.  But 
as  soon  as  we  came  within  the  influence  of  the  hot  clim- 
ate of  Bengal,  we  began  to  relapse  ;  and  though  we  came 
up  to  this  comparatively  healthy  place,  and  hired  a  nice, 
dry  house,  on  the  very  bank  of  the  river,  at  forty  rupees 
a  month,  I  soon  began  to  despair  of  attaining  any  radical 
and  permanent  recovery  by  remaining  here.  While 
looking  about,  and  considering  what  to  do  next,  a  pious 
captain  called  on  us,  with  whom  we  had  some  acquaint- 
ance at  Maulmain,  >Yhose  vessel  was  going  to  the  Isle  of 
France,  and  thence  to  Maulmain  ;  and  he  made  us  such  a 
kind  proposal  that  we  thought  we  could  go  the  circuitous 
voyage  at  no  more  expense  than  we  had  calculated  it 
would  cost  to  return  direct.  We  should  then  have  the 
benefit  of  being  at  sea  two  months  or  more,  and  a  few 
weeks'  residence  at  the  Isle  of  France,  the  most  healthy 
part  of  the  East.  We  expect  to  break  up  once  more, 
and  embark  in  the  course  of  ten  days.  Thus  we  are 
tossed  about  when  we  would  fain  be  at  our  work ;  but 
God  orders  all  things  for  the  best.  At  present  no  one 
of  the  family  is  dangerously  ill.     Abby  is  much  better; 


LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  268 

Adoniram  is  considerably  better,  though  he  looks  very 
thin  and  pale  ;  Henry  is  still  very  poorly  ;  their  mother 
is  sometimes  better,  sometimes  worse.  I  dread  going  to 
sea  next  month,  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  it  being  a  very 
dangerous  month ;  but  there  seems  to  be  no  alternative. 
May  God  preserve  us  safely,  and  give  me  the  pleasure 
of  writing  you  from  Port  Louis,  the  place,  you  may  re- 
collect, to  which  I  once  repaired  when  driven  away  from 
Bengal,  nearly  thirty  years  ago. 

I  should  be  glad  to  see  your  faces  once  more  in  the 
flesh,  but  it  will  probably  never  be.  May  God  dwell  in 
your  house  and  your  hearts ;  may  he  bless  you  by  day 
and  by  night,  in  body  and  in  soul,  in  time  and  in  eternity. 
Wife  desires  to  be  kindly  remembered,  and  I  remain,  as 
ever. 

Your  affectionate  son  and  brother, 

A.  JUDSON. 

Serampore,  August  1,  1842. 
Dear  Mother  and  Sister  : 

I  wrote  you  on  the  24th  ultimo.  Perhaps  this  letter 
will  go  by  the  same  conveyance.  Wife  went  down  to 
Calcutta,  for  a  few  days,  to  do  a  little  business,  leaving 
the  two  younger  children  with  me.  On  the  27th,  dear 
little  Henry's  disorder  took  an  unfavorable  turn.  He 
had  derived  less  benefit  from  the  voyage  and  change  than 
the  other  children,  being  too  young  to  have  his  mind  en- 
gaged and  diverted,  which  greatly  contributes  to  bodily 
recovery  ;  and  being  considered  less  dangerously  ill  than 
the  others,  had,  perhaps,  less  attention  paid  him  than  was 
desirable.     His  disorder  had  continued  to  hold  on,  though 


264  LIFE    OF   SARAH   B.    JUDSON. 

at  times  greati  j  mitigated.  On  the  28th  he  grew  worse, 
and  I  wrote  down  for  his  mother,  and  in  the  evening 
began  to  despair  of  his  life.  On  the  29th  the  doctor 
gave  him  np,  and  we  ceased  from  giving  him  any  more 
medicine,  for  he  could  keep  none  on  his  stomach  a  single 
minute ;  and  my  only  prayer  was,  that  he  might  not  die 
before  his  mother  arrived.  Oh,  what  heavy  hours  now 
passed  !  She  arrived  with  the  other  children  in  the  night, 
about  two  o'clock,  and  sprang  to  the  cradle  of  the  little 
sufferer,  and  could  not  think  that  he  was  really  in  a  dying 
state.  I  let  her  take  her  own  way,  and  she  contrived  to" 
give  him  a  little  wine  and  water,  which,  however,  could 
be  of  no  avail ;  and  when  morning  came,  the  marks  of 
death  on  the  countenance  were  too  visible  for  even  the 
unwilling  mother  to  refuse  to  acknowledge.  We  spent 
the  day  hanging  over  our  dying  babe,  and  giving  him 
some  liquid,  for  which  he  was  always  calling,  to  relieve 
his  burning  thirst.  When  I  said,  "Henry,  my  son," 
he  would  raise  his  sinking  eyelids,  and  try  to  stretchout 
his  little  arms  for  me  to  take  him  ;  but  he  could  not  bear 
to  be  held  more  than  a  moment  before  he  would  cry  to  be 
laid  down  again.  Oh,  how  restless  did  he  spend  his  last 
day,  rolling  from  side  to  side,  and  crying  out,  "  Nalime^' 
his  imperfect  pronunciation  of  naughty,  by  which  term 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  expressing  his  disapprobation  or 
dissatisfaction.  In  the  afternoon  he  became  convulsed 
for  a  few  moments,  and  our  hearts  were  rent  to  witness 
the  distortion  of  his  dear  little  mouth  and  face.  Aftei 
that  he  was  more  quiet ;  but  towards  evening  he  probably 
had  some  violent  stroke  of  death,  for  he  suddenly 
screamed  out  in  great  pain.     In  the   evening  he  had  an- 


LIFE    OF    SARAH   B.    JUDSON.  265 

other  turn  of  convulsion.  His  mother  lay  down  bj  his 
side,  and,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  fell  fast  asleep.  About 
nine  o'clock  I  had  gone  into  another  room,  and  was  Ij^ 
ing  down,  when  a  servant  called  me.  He  began  to 
breathe  loud,  indicative  of  the  closing  scene.  I  let  the 
mother  sleep — sat  down  by  his  side,  and,  presently  called, 
as  usual,  "Henry,  my  son  ;"  upon  which  he  opened  his 
eyes,  and  looked  at  me  more  intelligently  and  aifection 
ately  than  he  had  been  able  to  do  for  some  time  ;  but  the 
effort  was  too  great,  and  he  ceased  to  breathe.  I  in- 
stantly awoke  his  mother ;  he  then  gave  two  or  three  ex- 
piring gasps,  and  it  was  all  over.  I  stripped  the  little 
emanciated  body,  and  washed  it,  while  his  mother,  with 
the  help  of  a  servant,  made  a  suitable  gown  ;  and  by 
eleven  o'clock  he  was  laid  out  in  the  same  cradle  in  which 
he  died.  For  a  few  days,  Elnathan  had  been  ill  with  a 
severe  cough  and  fever,  and  my  attention  had  been  di- 
vided between  the  two.  After  poor  Henry  was  quiet,  we 
turned  all  our  attention  to  the  others.  The  two  elder 
children  were  much  better.  Next  morning  we  had  a 
coffin  made,  in  which  we  placed  our  dear  child  ;  and  some- 
times, when  our  avocations  permitted,  looked  at  him 
through  the  day.  And  Oh,  how  sweet  was  his  dead  face  ! 
though  there  was  an  expression  of  pain  lurking  in  some 
of  the  features.  At  night,  a  few  of  our  friends  came  to- 
gether, and  we  carried  the  coffin  to  the  mission  burial 
ground,  where,  after  a  prayer  by  Mr.  Mack,  the  body 
was  deposited  in  its  final  resting-place.  Farewell,  my 
darling  son  Henry.  While  thy  little  body  rests  in  the 
grave,  I  trust  that  thy  spirit,  through  the  grace  of  Jesus 
Christ,  is  resting  in  paradise.     We  intend  to  order  a  small 


266  LIFE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

monument  erected  with  this  inscription  :  "  The  grave  of 
Henry  Judson,  youngest  son  of  the  Rev.  A.  Judson,  of 
Maulmain,  who  died  July  30th,  1841,  aged  one  year  and 
seven  months." 

Elnathan  was  very  ill  last  night,  and  is  not  much  bet- 
ter to-day.  We  tremble  for  him.  The  vessel  in  which 
we  are  going  to  the  Isle  of  France,  we  hear,  is  to  remain 
a  few  days  longer,  so  that  I  will  add  a  further  line  be- 
fore leaving. 

Calcutta,  August  6th.  We  have  come  down  to  this  place 
with  a  view  to  embarking  ;  but  the  vessel  is  still  detained. 
Elnathan  appears  to  be  very  ill,  with  a  complication 
of  complaints.  We  are  in  great  distress  about  him. 
The  two  elder  children  continue  better. 

In  haste,  yours  affectionately, 

A.  Judson. 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  267 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MR.  AND  MRS.  JUDSON,  AND  CHILDREN  LEAVE  INDIA — 
DEATH  OF  MRS.  JUDSON. 

A  SEA  voyage  proving  beneficial  to  the  other  sufferers, 
they  returned  in  November,  1841,  to  Maulmain,  where 
Mrs.  Judson  again  commenced  her  daily  round  of  duties, 
translating,  teaching,  advising,  and  the  thousand  minor 
cares  devolving  upon  her  as  a  missionary's  wife,  and  the 
mother  of  young  children.  In  1844,  another  child  was 
added  to  the  little  flock,  and  from  the  time  of  its  birth, 
Mrs.  Judson's  health  declined  rapidly.  The  disease 
which  had  so  often  threatened  her  life  in  former  years, 
returned  with  great  violence,  and  day  after  day  saw  her 
growing  weaker.  A  sea  voyage  was  at  length  pro- 
nounced the  only  means  of  protracting  her  life,  and  as 
she  was  too  weak  and  helpless  to  go  alone.  Dr.  Judson 
resolved  to  accompany  her. 

Leaving  the  three  youngest  children  with  their  mis- 
sionary friends  in  India,  they  embarked  with  the  other 
three  in  the  ship  Paragon,  for  England,  in  April,  1845. 
On  the  fifth  of  July  following,  they  arrived  at  Port 
Louis,  Isle  of  France.  Here,  Mrs.  Judson's  health 
seemed  so  much  improved,  that  it  was  thought  prudent 


268  LIFE    OF   SAKAH    B.    JUDSOIT. 

for  her  to  proceed  alone  upon  her  voyage,  and  Dr.  Jud- 
son  determined  to  return  to  Maulmain.  It  was  with 
many  prayers  for  strength  to  bear  the  separation,  that 
this  resolution  was  taken.  Mrs.  Judson's  last  written 
words  were  penned  with  this  trial  in  prospect.  I  give 
her  touching  poem,  entire : 

"We  part  on  this  green  islet,  Love, 

Thou  for  the  Eastern  main, 
I,  for  the  setting  sun,  love — 

Oh,  when  to  meet  again  't 

My  heart  is  sad  for  thee,  Love, 

For  lone  thy  way  will  be  ; 
And  oft  thy  tears  will  fall.  Love, 

For  thy  children  and  for  me. 

The  music  of  thy  daughter's  voice 

Thou' It  miss  for  many  a  year  ; 
And  the  merry  shout  of  thine  elder  boys, 

Thou' It  list  in  vain  to  hear. 

"When  we  knelt  to  see  our  Henry  die, 

And  heard  his  last  faint  moan, 
Each  wiped  away  the  other's  tears— 

Now,  each  must  weep  alone. 

My  tears  fall  fast  for  thee.  Love, — 

How  can  I  say  farewell  ? 
But  go ;  thy  God  be  with  thee,  Love, 

Thy  heart's  deep  grief  to  quell  I 

Yet  my  spirit  clings  to  thine.  Love, 

Thy  soul  remains  with  me, 
And  oft  we'll  hold  communion  sweet, 

O'er  the  dark  and  distant  sea. 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  269 

And  who  can  paint  our  mutual  joy 

When,  all  our  wanderings  o'er, 
"We  both  shall  clasp  our  infants  three, 

At  home,  on  Burmah's  shore 

But  higher  shall  our  raptures  glow, 

On  yon  celestial  plain, 
When  the  loved  and  parted  here  below 

Meet,  ne'er  to  part  again. 

Then  gird  thine  armor  on.  Love, 

Nor  faint  thou  by  the  way, 
Till  Boodh  shall  fall,  and  Burmah's  sons 

Shall  own  Messiah's  sway. 

This  cup,  however,  was  permitted  to  pass  from  them. 
The  Paragon  left  them  at  Port  Louis ;  but  a  few  days 
afterwards,  Mrs.  Judson's  illness  assumed  again  a  most 
dangerous  character,  and  it  became  impossible  for  her 
husband  to  leave  her.  Mr.  Judson  wrote,  in  an  obituary 
notice,  the  following  account  of  the  last  days  of  his 
beloved  wife : 

"  After  her  prostration  at  the  Isle  of  France,  where 
we  spent  three  weeks,  there  remained  but  little  expecta- 
tion of  her  recovery.  Her  hopes  had  long  been  fixed 
on  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and  she  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
contemplating  death  as  neither  distant  nor  undesirable. 
As  it  drew  near,  she  remained  perfectly  tranquil.  No 
shade  of  doubt,  or  fear,  or  anxiety  ever  passed  over  her 
mind.  She  had  a  prevailing  preference  to  depart  and  be 
with  Christ.  '  I  am  longing  to  depart,'  and  'What  can 
I  want  beside  ?'  quoting  the  language  of  a  familiar  hymn, 
were  the  expressions  which  revealed  the  spiritual  peace 
and  joy  of  her  mind ;  yet,  at  times,  the  thought  of  her 


270  LIFE   OF   SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

native  land,  to  which  she  was  approaching,  after  an 
absence  of  twenty  years,  and  a  longing  desire  to  see 
once  more  her  son  George,  her  parents,  and  the  friends 
of  her  youth,  drew  down  her  ascending  soul,  and  con- 
strained her  to  say,  '  I  am  in  a  strait  betwixt  two — let 
the  will  of  Grod  be  done.' 

"  In  regard  to  her  children,  she  ever  manifested  the 
most  surprising  composure  and  resignation,  so  much  so 
that  I  was  once  induced  to  say,  '  You  seem  to  have  for- 
gotten the  little  ones  we  have  left  behind.'  '  Can  a  mo- 
ther forget?'  she  replied,  and  was  unable  to  proceed. 
During  her  last  days,  she  spent  much  time  in  praying 
for  the  early  conversion  of  her  children.  May  her  liv- 
ing and  her  dying  prayers  draw  down  the  blessing  of 
God  on  their  bereaved  heads. 

"  On  our  passage  homeward,  as  the  strength  of  Mrs. 
Judson  gradually  declined,  I  expected  to  be  under  the 
painful  necessity  of  burying  her  in  the  sea.  But  it  was 
so  ordered  by  divine  Providence,  that,  when  the  indica- 
tions of  approaching  death  had  become  strongly  marked, 
the  ship  came  to  anchor  in  the  port  of  St.  Helena.  For 
three  days  she  continued  to  sink  rapidly,  though  her 
bodily  suiferings  were  not  very  severe.  Her  mind 
became  liable  to  wander ;  but  a  single  word  was  sufficient 
to  recall  and  steady  her  recollection.  On  the  evening 
of  the  31st  of  August,  she  appeared  to  be  drawing  near 
to  the  end  of  her  pilgrimage.  The  children  took  leave 
of  her,  and  retired  to  rest.  I  sat  alone  by  the  side  of 
her  bed  during  the  hours  of  the  night,  endeavoring  to 
administer  relief  to  the  distressed  body,  and  consolation 
to  the  departing  soul.     At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 


LIFE    OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON.  271 

wishing  to  obtain  one  more  token  of  recognition,  I  roused 
her  attention,  and  said,  'Do  you  still  love  the  Saviour?* 
'  Oh,  yes,'  she  replied,  '  I  ever  love  the  Lord  Jesu3 
Christ.'  I  said  again,  '  Do  you  still  love  me  V  She  re- 
plied in  the  affirmative,  by  a  peculiar  expression  of  her 
own.  *  Then  give  me  one  more  kiss  ;'  and  we  exchanged 
that  token  of  love  for  the  last  time.  Another  hour 
passed,  life  continued  to  recede,  and  she  ceased  to  breathe. 
For  a  moment  I  traced  her  upward  flight,  and  thought 
of  the  wonders  which  were  opening  to  her  view.  I  then 
closed  her  sightless  eyes,  dressed  her,  for  the  last  time, 
in  the  drapery  of  death ;  and  being  quite  exhausted  with 
many  sleepless  nights,  I  threw  myself  down  and  slept. 
On  awaking  in  the  morning,  I  saw  the  children  standing 
and  weeping  around  the  body  of  their  dear  mother,  then, 
for  the  first  time,  inattentive  to  their  cries.  In  the 
course  of  the  day,  a  coffin  was  procured  from  the  shore, 
in  which  I  placed  all  that  remained  of  her  whom  I  had 
so  much  loved ;  and  after  a  prayer  had  been  offered  by 
a  dear  brother  minister  from  the  town,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bertram,  we  proceeded  in  boats  to  the  shore.  There  we 
were  met  by  the  colonial  chaplain,  and  accompanied  to 
the  burial  ground  by  the  adherents  and  friends  of  Mr. 
Bertram,  and  a  large  concourse  of  the  inhabitants. 
They  had  prepared  the  grave  in  a  beautiful,  shady  spot, 
contiguous  to  the  grave  of  Mrs.  Chater,  a  missionary 
from  Ceylon,  who  had  died  in  similar  circumstances,  on 
her  passage  home.  There  I  saw  her  safely  deposited, 
and  in  the  language  of  prayer,  which  we  had  often  pre- 
sented together  at  the  throne  of  grace,  I  blessed  God 
that  her  body  had  attained  the  repose  of  the  grave,  and 


272  LIFE   OF    SARAH    B.    JUDSON. 

her  spirit  the  repose  of  paradise.  After  the  funeral,  the 
dear  friends  of  Mr.  Bertram  took  rne  to  their  house 
and  their  hearts ;  and  their  conversation  and  prayers 
afforded  me  unexpected  relief  and  consolation.  But  I 
^y;5S  obliged  to  hasten  on  board  ship,  a:id  we  immediately 
went  to  sea.  On  the  following  morning,  no  vestige  of 
the  island  was  discernible  in  the  distant  horizon.  For  a 
few  days,  in  the  solitude  of  my  cabin,  with  my  poor 
children  crying  around  me,  I  could  not  help  abandoning 
myself  to  heart-breaking  sorrow.  But  the  promises  of 
the  gospel  came  to  my  aid,  and  faith  stretched  her  view 
to  the  bright  world  of  eternal  life,  and  anticipated  a 
happy  meeting  with  those  beloved  beings  whose  bodies 
are  mouldering  at  Amherst  and  St.  Helena. 

"  I  exceedingly  regret  that  there  is  no  portrait  of  the 
second,  as  of  the  first  Mrs.  Judson.  Her  soft,  blue  eye, 
her  mild  aspect,  her  lovely  face,  and  elegant  form,  have 
never  been  delineated  on  canvass.  They  must  soon  pass 
away  from  the  memory  even  of  her  children,  but  they 
will  remain  for  ever  enshrined  in  her  husband's  heart. 

"  To  my  friends  at  St.  Helena,  I  am  under  great  obli- 
gation. I  desire  to  thank  God  for  having  raised  up  in 
that  place  a  most  precious  religious  interest.  The  friends 
of  the  Redeemer  rallied  round  an  evangelical  minister 
immediately  on  his  arrival,  and  within  a  few  months, 
several  souls  were  added  to  their  number.  Those  dear, 
sympathizing.  Christian  friends  received  the  body  of  the 
deceased  from  my  hands  as  a  sacred  deposit,  united  with 
our  kind  captain,  John  Codman,  Jr.,  of  Dorchester,  in 
defraying  all  the  expenses  of  the  funeral,  and  promised 
to  take  care  of  the  grave,  and  see  to  the  erection  of  the 


LIFE   OF   SARAH   B.   JUDSON.  273 

gravestones  whicli  I  am  to  forward,  and  on  which  I  pro- 
pose to  place  the  following  inscription : 

"  '  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Sarah  B.  Judson,  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Baptist  Mission  to  Burmah,  for- 
merly wife  of  the  Rev.  George  D.  Boardman,  of  Tavoy, 
and  lately  wife  of  the  Rev.  Adoniram  Judson,  of  Maul- 
main,  who  died  in  this  port,  September  1st,  1845,  on  her 
passage  to  the  United  States,  in  the  forty-second  year 
of  her  age,  and  in  the  twenty-first  of  her  missionary 
life. 

**  *  She  sleeps  sweetly  here,  on  this  rock  of  the  ocean, 
Away  from  the  home  of  her  youth, 
And  far  from  the  land  where,  with  heartfelt  devotion, 
She  scattered  the  bright  beams  of  truth/  " 

After  his  wife's  death,  Mr.  Judson  continued  his  voy- 
age to  the  United  States,  where  he  paid  a  visit,  marked 
throughout  by  the  warmest  welcome  from  his  friends  in 
this  country,  and  where  he  left  his  three  children  to  be 
educated,  returning  to  India  again  in  1846,  accompanied 
by  the  companion  whose  life  will  occupy  the  remaining 

pages  of  this  work. 
18 


LIFE   OF 

EMILY   0.    JUDSON, 


THIRD   WIPE   OP 


REV.  ADONIRAM  JUDSON,  D.D. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH — NEARLY    LIFE — LITERARY    CAREER — MARRIAGE    AND 
DEPARTURE  FOR  INDIA — FAREWELL  TO  ALDERBROOK. 

Emily  Chubbuck,  the  third  wife  of  Dr.  Judson,  was 
born  at  Eaton,  New  York,  in  1818.  After  enjoying  the 
means  of  education  within  her  reach  at  a  country  town, 
and  finding  them  insufficient  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of 
a  superior  intellect  and  love  of  study,  she  accepted  the 
situation  of  teacher,  in  the  Female  Seminary  at  Utica, 
New  York,  making  it  a  pleasure  to  vary  the  duties  of 
imparting  instruction,  by  employing  her  leisure  in  study- 
ing closely  herself. 

Her  parents,  themselves   deeply  impressed  with  the 

love  of  holy  things,  early  trained  their  children  to  the 

love  of  God,  and  awoke  in  them  the  religious  enthusiasm 

which  distinguished  Emily  in  her  short  but  beautiful  life. 

274 


LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  275 

When  but  fourteen  years  of  age  Emily  made  a  profession 
of  religion,  and  joined  the  Baptist  church. 

Whilst  occupied  in  teaching  at  Utica,  Miss  Chubbuck 
commenced  her  literary  career,  by  writing  poems  for  the 
Knickerbocker  Magazine,  and,  also,  both  prose  and 
poetical  articles  for  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society.  These  first  productions  were  all  distinguished 
by  their  high  religious  tone,  and  the  clear,  practical  view 
given  to  the  highest  teachings  of  religion.  These  earlier 
writings,  written  amidst  the  pressure  of  school  duties  and 
hard  study,  evince,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  the  high, 
pure  tone  of  the  young  girl's  mind,  and  were  put  mod- 
estly forth,  with  no  hope  of  winning  laurels.  In  1844, 
hoping  to  add  to  the  limited  income  of  her  mother  by 
the  fruits  of  her  pen.  Miss  Chubbuck  sent  to  the  New 
Mirror,  publivshed  by  Messrs  Morris  and  Willis,  some 
lighter  articles,  stories  and  sketches.  They  were  highly 
commended  by  the  editors,  accepted,  and  published,  with 
the  pretty,  fanciful  signature  of  "Fanny  Forester." 
The  encouragement  lavished  by  the  press,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  personal  friends,  decided  Miss  Chubbuck  to  give 
up  teaching  and  make  literature  her  profession. 

Two  or  three  years  of  close,  successful  application  to 
her  pen,  whilst  it  made  the  young  aspirant  for  public 
favor,  a  well  known,  beloved  name,  proved  too  severe  for 
a  constitution  naturally  delicate,  and  "Fanny  Forester" 
was  forced  to  lay  aside  her  profession,  and  seek  change 
of  air  and  scene. 

She  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Gil- 
lette, a  Baptist  minister  of  high  standing,  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  passed  the  winter  of  1845-6  in  his  family. 


276  LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

During  her  early  life  in  Eaton,  Miss  Chubbuck  be- 
came warmly  interested  in  the  missionary  cause,  and  ex- 
pressed freely  her  hope  that  at  some  future  time  Provi- 
dence would  open  a  way  for  her  to  teach  holy  truths  in 
heathen  countries.  Accepting,  however,  with  patient 
love,  any  path  of  usefulness  indicated  as  the  one  chosen 
for  her  by  her  Heavenly  Father,  she  fulfilled  the  more 
humble  cares  of  a  daughter  and  teacher,  bringing  to  her 
daily  routine  of  duties  the  same  gentle,  pure  heart,  that 
so  eminently  fitted  her  for  a  missionary  wife. 

Still  the  love  for  the  missionary  life,  the  hope  of  being 
useful  to  the  far  distant  brethren,  struggling  in  spiritual 
darkness,  was  the  ruling  passion  of  her  life,  and  destined 
to  be  gratified.  During  her  residence  in  the  family  of 
Dr.  Gillette,  Miss  Chubbuck  met  the  Rev.  Dr.  Judson, 
whose  name  she  knew  so  well  as  the  great  Burman  Mis- 
sionary. 

Dr.  Judson  was  also  visiting  in  the  family  of  Dr.  Gil- 
lette, and  thus  thrown  into  daily  intercourse  with  the 
young  authoress.  His  well-known  nobility  of  character, 
his  self-sacrificing  love  to  the  heathen,  and  his  own 
gentle,  benevolent  manners,  made  the  disparity  of  age 
valueless  in  the  eyes  of  the  warm-hearted  woman,  and 
when  his  love  for  her  was  declared,  she  accepted  her 
place  as  his  wife,  the  mother  of  his  children,  and  his 
companion  in  his  life-long  task,  in  India.  In  June, 
1846,  Miss  Chubbuck  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Judson, 
and  sailed  with  him  for  India. 

"Fanny  Forester"  was  leaving  in  America  a  name 
fast  rising  to  the  first  literary  ranks.  Her  sketches 
published  in  the  New  Miror  had  been  collected  in  two 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.   JUDSON.  277 

volumes,  under  the  title  of  Alderbrook,  and,  in  less  than 
seven  years,  33,000  copies  of  this  work  alone,  were  sold. 
Her  other  works,  "  Charles  Linn,"  "  The  Great  Secret," 
"Allen  Lucas,"  and  her  constant  contributions  to  peri- 
odical literature  were  also  very  popular,  yet  she  unhesi- 
tatingly consented  to  give  up  her  prospects  in  America 
to  accept  the  arduous  life  of  a  missionary's  wife.  In 
1846  she  wrote  the  beautiful  farewell  to  her  native  place, 
which  I  quote  as  a  specimen  of  her  pure,  elevated  style 
of  writing,  and  the  trustful  hope,  with  which  she  left 
her  dearly  loved  home  to  sail  for  the  new  home  awaiting 
her; 

"FAREWELL   TO   ALDERBROOK. 

"  *  Farewell : 

I  may  not  dwell 
Mid  flowers  and  music  ever/ 

"  The  hours  of  my  childhood  have  gone  back  to  their 
old  obliviousness  in  eternity ;  youth  is  on  the  wing,  flee- 
ing— fleeing — fleeing.  There  is  but  a  narrow  shadow 
lying  between  my  foot  'and  the  grave  which  it  seeks — a 
veil  of  grey  mist,  that  a  few  to-days  will  dissolve  into — 
what? — the  sickening  perfume  of  dead  flowers,  or  in- 
cense grateful  to  heaven. 

"  This  is  a  beautiful,  bright  world,  made  for  pure  be- 
ings. At  its  birth  angels  walked  among  its  cool  shad- 
ows, bent  to  its  bright  waters,  and  inhaled  its  perfumes ; 
and  they  fled  not,  those  holy  ones,  till  their  wings 
drooped  beneath  the  defiling  heaviness  of  sin.  A  false 
breath  played  upon  the  brow   of   man ;    heedlessly  he 


278  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

opened  his  bosom  to  it ;  and  then  it  at  once  nestled,  a 
fatal  poison,  ever  distilling  venom.  Still  the  flowers 
bloomed;  still  the  waters  flashed  and  sparkled  in  tbe 
warm  light ;  still  the  breezes  waved  their  censers,  laden 
with  rich  perfume ;  still  the  birds  carolled ;  the  stars 
smiled ;  leaves  rustled,  kissing  each  other  lovingly ;  dews 
slumbered  in  lily  bells  and  the  hearts  of  roses,  and  crept 
around  withering  roots  and  revived  fading  petals ;  the  sun, 
and  the  moon,  and  the  silver  twilight,  each  wrought  its 
own  peculiar  broidery  on  earth  and  sky ;  but  upon  the 
flowers,  and  the  fresh  leaves,  and  the  waters,  and  the 
breezes,  the  gay,  beautiful  birds,  and  the  silent  dews,  on 
sun,  and  moon,  and  stars,  on  all,  everything  of  earth, 
rested  the  taint  of  sin.  In  the  morning  of  this  little  day  of 
time,  what  more  deliciously  sweet  than  to  recline  among  the 
blossoming  luxuriance  of  Eden,  and  worship  God,  there, 
in  his  own  temple  ?  It  was  the  object  of  life  to  enjoy 
its  own  blissfulness,  and  praise  Him  who  gave  it.  But 
when,  on  the  whisper  of  the  tempter,  sin  came,  it  brought 
a  change.  The  poison  hid  itself  among  all  the  beautiful 
things  that  we  most  love,  engendering  thorns  and  pro- 
ducing discord ;  it  festered  in  our  hearts,  reveled  in  our 
veins,  and  polluted  our  lips,  until  the  angels  veiled  their 
faces  in  disgust,  and  man  was  left  with  no  eye  to  pity, 
no  arm  to  save  !  Then,  from  the  dense  cloud,  broke 
forth  a  ray  of  glory ;  a  crowned  Head-  looked  out  in 
pity ;  divine  lips  bent  to  the  poisoned  wound  ;  and  lost, 
ruined  man  found  a  Saviour.  He  was  heralded  by  an- 
gels ;  angels  are  still  whispering,  '  Look  !  look  !  live  !' 
that  Saviour  is  standing  with  love-beaming  eyes  and 
arms  extended ;  but  men  are  blind  and  cannqt  see  his 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.   JUDSON.  275 

beauty.  Shall  I  sit  down  among  thy  flowers,  sweet  Al- 
derbrook,  while  my  Redeemer  is  dishonored,  and  my 
brethren  the  sons  of  those  who  walked  with  God  in 
Eden,  die  ? 

"  Faultless,  if  blinded  ! — The  just  God  will  not  be  an- 
gry with  those  who,  not  knowing,  have  not  loved  him  ! 

"  Who  has  said  it  ? 

"  Ah  !  The  invisible  things  of  Sim  from  the  creation 
of  the  zvorld  are  already/  seen,  being  understood  by  the 
things  that  are  made,  even  his  eternal  power  and  Grod- 
head;  so  that  they  are  without  excuse.  The  beautiful  page 
of  hill  and  dale  and  sky  is  spread  open  to  all.  I  go  tc 
teach  my  brother  how  to  read  it. 

"Dear,  beautiful  Alderbrook  !  I  have  loved  thee  as 
I  shall  never  love  any  other  thing,  that  I  may  not  meet 
after  the  sun  of  Time  is  set.  Every  thing  from  the  strong 
old  tree  that  wrestles  with  the  tempest,  down  to  the  amber 
moss-cup  cradling  the  tiny  insect  at  its  root,  and  pebble 
sleeping  at  the  bottom  of  the  brook, — every  thing  about 
thee  has  been  laden  with  its  own  peculiar  lesson.  Thou 
art  a  rare  book,  my  Alderbrook,  written  all  over  by  the 
Creator's  finger.  Dearly  do  I  love  the  holy  truths  upon 
thy  pages ;  but  ^  I  may  not  dwell,  mid  flowers  and  music 
ever,'  and  I  go  hence,  bearing  another,  choicer  book  in  my 
hand,  and  echoing  the  words  of  the  angels,  '  Look !  look, 
live.' 

"  I  stand  on  the  verge  of  the  brook,  which  seems  to 
me  more  beautiful  than  any  other  brook  on  earth,  and 
take  my  last  survey  of  the  home  of  my  infancy.  The 
cloud,  which  has  been  hovering  above  the  trees  on  the 
verge  of  heaven,   opens  ;    a  golden  light  gushes  forth, 


280  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.   JUDSON. 

bathing  the  hill-top,  and  streaming  down  its  green  dcclivi« 
ty  even  to  my  feet,  and  I  accept  the  encouraging  omen. 
The  angel  of  Alderbrook,  *  the  ministering  spirit'  sent 
hither  by  the  Almighty,  blesses  me.  Father  in  heaven, 
thy  blessing,  ere    I   go  ! 

"  Hopes  full  of  glory,  and  oh,  most  sweetly  sacred  1 
look  out  upon  me  from  the  future ;  but,  for  a  moment, 
their  beauty  is  clouded.  My  heart  is  heavy  with  sorrow. 
The  cup  at  my  lip  is  very  bitter.  Heaven  help  me  ! 
White  hairs  are  bending  in  submissive  grief,  and  age 
dimmed  eyes  are  made  dimmer  by  the  gathering  of  tears. 
Young  spirits  have  lost  their  joyousness,  young  lips  for- 
get to  smile,  and  bounding  hearts  and  bounding  feet  are 
stilled.  Oh,  the  rending  of  ties,  knitted  at  the  first 
opening  of  the  infant  eye,  and  strengthened  by  number- 
less acts  of  love,  is  a  sorrowful  thing  !  To  make  the 
grave  the  only  door  to  u  meeting  with  those  in  whose  bo- 
som we  nestled,  in  whose  hearts  we  trusted,  long  before 
we  knew  how  precious  was  such  love  and  trust,  brings 
with  it  an  overpowering  weight  of  solemnity.  But  a 
grave  is  yawning  for  each  one  of  us  ;  and  it  is  much  to 
choose  whether  we  sever  the  tie  that  binds  us  here  to-day, 
or  lie  down  on  the  morrow  ?  Oh,  the  *  weaver's  shuttle' 
is  flying ;  the  '  flower  of  the  grass'  is  withering ;  the  span  is 
almost  measured ;  the  tale  nearly  told  ;  the  dark  valley 
is  close  before  us — tread  we  with  care  ! 

"  My  mother,  we  may  neither  of  us  close  the  other's  dark- 
ened eye,  and  fold  the  cold  hands  upon  the  bosom  ;  we 
may  neither  of  us  watch  the  sod  greening  and  withering 
above  the  other's  ashes  ;  but  there  are  duties  for  us  even 
more  <?acred  than  these.     But  a  few  steps,  moth,er — dif- 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  281 

ficult  the  path  may  be,  but  very  bright — and  then  we  put 
on  the  robe  of  immortality,  and  meet  to  part  never 
more.  And  we  shall  not  be  apart  even  on  earth.  There 
is  an  electric  chain  passing  from  heart  to  heart  through 
the  throne  of  the  Eternal ;  and  we  may  keep  its  links  all 
brightly  burnished  by  the  breath  of  prayer.  Still  pray 
for  me,  mother,  as  in  the  days  gone  by.  Thou  bidst  me 
go  !  The  smile  comes  again  to  thy  lip,  the  light  to  thine 
eye,  for  thou  hast  pleasure  in  the  sacrifice.  Thy  bless- 
ing !  Farewell,  my  mother,  and  ye  loved  ones  of  the 
game  hearthstone. 

Bright,  beautiful,  dear  Alderbrook,  farewell, 

Fanny  Forester. 

June  laU  1846. 


252  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.   JUDSON. 


CHAPTER  II. 

AKRIVAL  IN  INDIA — LITERARY  LABORS — ^POEM  WRITTEN   ON 
THE    BIRTH   OF  A  DAUGHTER DOMESTIC  LIFE. 

In  November  1846.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  arrived  at 
Maulmain  ;  and  in  February  1847,  the  little  family  went  to 
Rangoon,  Dr.  Judson  having  gone  there  in  the  previous 
month,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  his  wife 
and  children.  Mrs.  Judson  had  suffered  with  sea  sickness 
during  the  voyage,  but  the  climate  of  Rangoon  seemed 
to  agree  with  her  very  well.  Of  the  three  children  left 
in  India  when  Dr.  Judson  sailed  for  America,  one,  the 
youngest,  had  joined  his  mother  in  Heaven,  the  others 
were  well.  Dr.  Judson  wrote  home :  ^'  I  have  set  up  house- 
keeping in  my  old  house  ;  and  it  seems  like  home,  not- 
withstanding the  devasation  that  death  and  removal  have 
made.  Emily  makes  one  of  the  best  wives  and  kindest 
mothers  to  the  children  that  ever  man  was  blessed  with." 
The  removal  referred  to  the  three  children  who  ac- 
companied Dr.  Judson  to  America,  and  who  remained 
there  for  education. 

Settled  in  her  new   home,  with   duties   before   her  to- 
wards her  husband  and  his  children,  "  Fanny  Forester," 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  283 

for  a  short  season  laid  aside  her  pen,  but  the  talents  be- 
stowed bv  the  Heavenly  Father,  were  not  intended  to  lie 
idle,  and  time  was  found  for  many  touching  sketches  of 
the  new  home  and  life.  She  wrote  the  life  of  Sarah  B. 
Judson,  ''The  Olio,  or  Domestic  Poems,"  "TheKathayan 
Slave,  and  other  papers  connected  with  missionary  life," 
"  My  two  Sisters,  "  during  her  residence  in  India,  beside 
many  poems  and  short  sketches,  sent  home  and  published  in 
periodicals. 

Through  the  winter  months,  after  her  arrival  in  Ran- 
goon, Mrs.  Judson's  health  continued  good,  but  m  the 
summer  of  1847  she  was  taken  very  ill,  with  a  combina- 
tion of  nervous  complaints.  Dr.  Judson  was  also  ill  with 
dysentery  at  the  same  time.  Two  letters  written  by 
Dr.  Judson  at  this  time  show  the  trials  they  were  sub- 
jected to,  at  the  same  time  that  their  cheerful,  jesting 
tone  speaks  highly  for  his  domestic  happiness. 

TO  MRS.  STEVENS,  OF  MAULMAIN. 

Rangoon,  June  30,  1847. 
Dear  Sister: 

I  have  heard  Mrs.  Judson  say,  two  or  three  times, 
that  she  ought  to  write  to  you ;  so  I  thought  I  would 
supply  her  deficiency.  She  has  been  very  ill,  with  a 
combination  of  nervous  complaints,  aud  become  ''  as  thin 
as  the  shad  that  went  up  the  Niagara."  I  was  taken 
with  dysentery  two  or  three  weeks  ago,  and  had  the 
hardest  time  that  I  ever  knew  since  I  have  been  in  the 
mission.  Henry  lost  his  appetite  and  grew  thin  with 
fever.  .  .  .  And,  in  the  midst  of  it,  poor  little  Edward 
was  seized  with  the  erysipelas,  and  his  eyes  and  faco 


284  LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

swellei  so  that  he  was  not  recognizable.  At  length 
several  frightful  sores  opened,  and  are  still  discharging. 
Government  troubles  came  thick  upon  us  and  the  con- 
verts. The  season  of  Lent  arrived,  and  for  four  months 
no  flesh  or  fowl — nothing  but  fish — is  procurable,  except 
bj  stealth,  and  at  a  great  price.  We  had  depended 
chiefly  on  fowl  soup,  and  now  it  seemed  as  if  we  must 
die.     However,  we  kept  on  breathing.    .  .  . 

Only  think  that  next  July  11  will  be  the  anniversary 
of  our  sailing  from  Boston,  and  I  shall  not  then  have  re- 
ceived— except  two  short  letters  from  Abby  Ann,  and 
ditto  from  Mr.  Peck — a  single  communication  from  the 
thousands  of  warm  friends  I  left  at  home ! 

Better  sing  "Vive,"  &c.,  over  the  graves  of  friendship, 
and  all  things  here  below,  except — except-what?  love; 
and  that  we  will  cherish  in  the  young  corner  of  our 
hearts,  an  oasis  in  the  desert. 

Yours,  aff"ectionately, 

A.  JUDSON. 

TO  MR.  THOMAS  S.  RANNEY. 

Rangoon,  July  21,  1847. 
My  DEAR  Brother  : 

The  accompanying  heavy  parcel  for  Colby,  with  the 
letter,  is  to  go  by  the  August  steamer  to  Calcutta,  with 
direction  to  be  forwarded  overland  to  the  agent  in 
London.  The  postage  will,  of  course,  be  heavy ;  but 
the  thing  is  the  property  of  the  Board,  and  it  is  very 
important  that  it  should  reach  home  as  soon  as  it  can  be 
conveyed  by  the  overland. 

I  received  your  kind  letter  of  yesterday,  the  missing 


LIFE    OF   EMILY    C.    JUDSON.  285 

Herald,  &c.  We  are  all  creeping  up  the  valetudinarian 
hill  with  the  utmost  assiduity.  We  had  the  happiness 
of  nabbing  fifty  fowls  by  the  help  of  a  government  man 
in  the  neighborhood,  whose  favor  we  propitiated ;  and  to 
such  a  degree  that  he  let  us  have  them  for  seventy-two 
rupees  per  hundred.  Three  nights  after  we  had  cooped 
them,  our  friend's  jackals,  we  know,  stole  twenty  of  them ; 
and  soon  after  our  friend  himself  borrowed  eight  more, 
because  he  let  us  have  them  so  cheap,  I  suppose.  The 
rest  we  are  bolting  as  fast  as  possible,  for  fear  he  will 
want  to  borrow  them  too.  By  we,  I  mean  I,  for  wife 
has  become  a  sort  of  Grahamite,  living  chiefly,  or  vege- 
tating rather,  on  Mrs.  Stevens's  gingerbread,  your  coffee, 
and  the  scrapings  of  yams,  which  we  pick  up  now  and 
then — the  article  being  now  out  of  season.  0  ye  fre- 
quenters of  Astor  and  Tremont !  0  ye  shades  of  straw- 
berries and  icecreams  !  But  I  will  spare  your  feelings 
and  my  own.  May  you  be  happy  in  devouring  and  be- 
ing devoured.  I  see  you  are  getting  up  a  school  of 
shadows  in  Maulmain.  Please  tell  the  superioress  that 
we  are  assiduously  qualifying  ourselves  for  an  early  ad- 
mission. 

I  remain,  that  is,  what  does  remain, 

Yours  affectionately, 

A.  JUDSON. 

In  a  letter  to  his  daughter  of  a  later  date,  he  says: 
"We  are  a  deliciously  happy  family." 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1847,  Emily  Frances,  Mrs. 
Judson's  little  daughter,  was  born.     The  exquisite  linea 


286  LIFE    OP   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

given  below  were  written  upon  the  birth  of  this  child, 
and  were  very  largely  circulated  in  America : 

MY  BIRD. 

"  Ere  last  year's  moon  had  left  the  sky 
A  birdling  sought  my  Indian  nest, 
And  folded,  oh,  so  lovingly, 

Her  tiny  wings  upon  my  breast ! 

From  morn  till  evening's  purple  tinge 
In  winsome  helplessness  she  lies ; 

Two  rose  leaves,  with  a  silken  fringe, 
Shut  softly  on  her  starry  eyes. 

There's  not  in  Ind  a  lovelier  bird ; 

Broad  earth  owns  not  a  happier  nest ; 
0  God  !  thou  hast  a  fountain  stirred 

Whose  waters  never  more  shall  rest ! 

This  beautiful,  mysterious  thing, 
This  seeming  visitant  from  heaven, 

This  bird  with  the  immortal  wing, 
To  me — to  me,  Thy  hand  has  given ! 

The  pulse  first  caught  its  tiny  stroke, 

The  blood  its  crimson  hue,  from  mine  :— 

This  life,  which  I  have  dared  invoke, 
Henceforth  is  parallel  with  Thine. 

A  silent  awe  is  in  my  room — 

I  tremble  with  delicious  fear ; 
The  future,  with  its  light  and  gloom. 

Time  and  eternity  are  here. 

Doubts — ^hopes,  in  eager  tumult  rise ; 

Hear,  0  my  God,  one  earnest  prayer  :— 
Room  for  my  bird  in  paradise. 

And  give  her  Angel  plumage  there. 
Maulmain,  January,  1848. 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  287 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  left  Rangoon  for  Maulmain  in 
1847.  I  quote  here  another  letter  from  Dr.  Judson, 
written  in  1848,  which,  while  it  gives  a  brief  account  of 
the  progress  in  missionary  matters,  also  shows  the  hap- 
piness of  Mrs.Judson's  new  life: 

TO  MR.  AND  MRS.  ROBARTS,  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

Maulmain,  December  18,  1848. 
My  very  dear  Friends  : 

Have  I  written  you  since  the  birth  of  little  Emily 
Frances  ?  I  was  sure  I  had,  until  looking  into  my  letter- 
book,  I  find  not  your  name  where  I  expected  to  see  it. 
The  little  thing  will  be  one  year  old  on  the  24th  instant. 
She  is  a  great  pet  of  her  brothers,  Henry  and  Edward ; 
and  her  mother  has  taken  to  the  two  boys  as  if  they 
were  her  own,  so  that  we  are  a  very  happy  family ;  not 
a  happier,  I  am  sure,  on  the  broad  earth.  For  a  few 
months  we  have  been  occupying  the  same  house  that  my 
late  family  occupied ;  I  have  the  same  church  and 
chapel ;  I  am  sitting  at  the  same  study  table ;  and  I  can 
hardly  realize  that  I  have  been  through  such  a  whirl ; 
that  the  strange  American  dream  has  intervened;  that  I 
am  writing  to  certain  persons  of  whom,  before  I  had  that 
dream,  I  had  never  heard,  but  whom  I  now  have  in  my 
heart ;  and  their  house,  and  the  way  to  the  "  publication 
office,"  and  that  office,  and  the  Gillettes,  and  Philadel- 
phia, are  all  before  my  eye,  as  plain  as  if  I  saw  them 
again ;  and  that  cold  winter,  and  your  gas-lights,  and 
little  Mary  rigged  out  to  go  to  school  through  the  snow 
— ah,  the  snow,  that  curious  article,  drifting  in  at  the 
slightest  opening  of  a  window,  and  that  broken  pane  that 


288  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

I  bumped  my  unlucky  head  against,  I  see  it,  looking  at 
me  reproachfully.  Oh,  wouldn't  I  give  something  to  be 
able  to  walk  into  your  house,  and  spend  a  day  or  two 
with  you  once  more  !  But  that  can  never  be.  I  sup- 
pose that  by  this  time  you  have  our  dear  Utica  friends 
with  you  in  Philadelphia.  I  hope  they  w^U  be  appreci- 
ated ;  and  they  will,  I  am  sure,  be  a  great  accession  to 
your  society  and  church.  Do  write  me,  and  tell  me  all 
about  my  friends  in  Philadelphia  by  name.  I  directed 
copies  of  the  Memoir  of  the  late  Mrs.  Judson  to  be  sent 
you,  and  Mrs.  Gillette,  and  Mary  Anna  Longstreth,  and 
Mrs.  President  Dagg,  all  under  cover  to  you,  which  I 
mention,  because  I  find  that  copies,  which  I  sent  to 
friends,  have,  by  some  accident,  failed  of  reaching  their 
destination. 

The  work  of  the  Lord  is  going  forward  in  every  di- 
rection, though  much  slower  than  we  desire.  Scarcely 
a  month  elapses  without  witnessing  the  baptism  of  some 
Burmans,  or  Peguans,  or  Karens,  or  descendants  of  Eu- 
ropeans, in  some  of  our  churches  in  this  place  and  vi- 
cinity. And  beside  the  actual  evident  conversions,  we 
believe  that  the  truth  is  spreading,  and  gaining  ground 
through  the  country ;  and  we  expect  to  meet  many  in 
heaven,  whom  we  never  met  on  earth.  And  we  are  en- 
deavoring to  labor,  not  only  for  the  present  generation, 
but  for  all  future  generations ;  and  for  this  purpose  are 
preparing  a  great  variety  of  elementary  books  in  the 
various  departments  of  science  and  religion. 

"  Cheerly,  cheerly  ply  the  lever ; 
Pause  not,  faint  not,  falter  never/' 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  289 

is  our  song,  and  in  that  chorus  we  all  join,  with  joyful 
bxoarts.  Even  the  "young  romance  writer"  has  made  a 
little  book,  completing  her  predecessor's  series  of  Scrip- 
ture Questions  on  the  Historical  Parts  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament ;  and  she  manages  to  conduct  a  Bible  class  and 
native  female  prayer-meetings ;  so  that  I  hope  she  will 
yet  come  to  some  good.  Pray  for  us,  my  dear  friends  ; 
and  may  we  all  be  prepared  to  meet  in  heaven.  With 
Mrs.  Judson's  kve, 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

A.  JUDSON. 

19 


290  LIFE   OF  EMILY  C.   JUDSCN. 


CHAPTER  III. 

MRS.    JUDSDN'S   illness — DR.   JUDSON^S   DEATH — MRS.  JUIV 
SON^S  RETURN  TO  AMERICA — DEATH — ^POEMS. 

Again,  in  1849,  Mrs.  Judson's  health  sank  nnaer  the 
trying  effects  of  the  Indian  climate.  Dr.  Judson  wrote 
to  Miss  Anable  the  following  letter,  showing  the  heavy 
grief  under  which  he  labored : 

TO  MISS  ANABLE,  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

Maulmain,  March  18,  1849. 
Dear  Anna  Maria  : 

I  know  not  how  to  begin  to  write  you.  A  dark  cloud 
is  gathering  around  me.  A  crushing  weight  is  upon  me. 
I  cannot  resist  the  dreadful  conviction  that  dear  Emily 
is  in  a  settled  and  rapid  decline.  For  nearly  a  year 
after  the  birth  of  baby  she  enjoyed  pretty  good  health, 
and  I  flattered  myself  that  she  would  be  spared  for  many 
years.  But  three  or  four  months  ago  her  appetite  almost 
entirely  failed  her.  Soon  after,  baby  was  taken  very 
ill,  and  in  the  midst  of  it,  our  usual  help  left  us,  and  she 
was  obliged  to  undergo  a  great  deal  of  severe  fatigue ; 
and  I  see  now  that  she  has  been  declining  ever  since. 
She  soon  became  unable  to  take  our  usual  walks,  and  I 


LIFE   OF    EMILY    C.    JUDSON.  291 

procured  a  ponj  for  her,  and  she  tried  riding,  but  with- 
out anj  good  effect.  I  next  sent  her  to  Tavoy  in  a 
steamer,  on  a  visit  to  the  missionaries  there.  She  was 
gone  ten  days,  and  returned  thinner  in  flesh  and  weaker 
than  ever.  I  now  take  her  out,  every  morning,  in  a 
chaise,  and  this  is  all  the  exercise  she  can  bear.  She  is 
under  the  care  of  a  very  skillful  doctor,  who  appears  to 
be  making  every  possible  effort  to  save  her;  but  the 
symptoms  are  such  that  I  have  scarcely  any  hope  left. 
She  is  thinner  than  she  has  ever  been ;  strength  almost 
gone ;  no  appetite ;  various  pains  in  the  region  of  the 
lungs ;  a  dry  cough,  which  has  hung  on  pertinaciously 
for  two  or  three  months.  She  was  preparing  some 
"Notes,"  to  append  to  the  Memoir,  but  has  been  obliged 
to  leave  them  unfinished,  being  unable  to  write,  or  even 
read,  without  aggravating  her  pains.  I  look  around  in 
despair.  If  a  change  to  any  place  promised  the  least 
relief,  I  would  go  anywhere.  But  we  are  here  in  the 
healthiest  part  of  India,  and  in  the  dry,  warm  season  ; 
and  she  suffers  so  much  at  sea  that  a  voyage  would  hardly 
be  recommended  for  itself.  My  only  hope  is  that  the 
doctor  declares  that  her  lungs  are  not  seriously  affected, 
and  that  as  soon  as  her  system  is  fairly  brought  under 
the  influence  of  the  course  of  medicine  he  is  pursuing, 
— digitalis  being  a  principal  ingredient, — there  will  be  a 
favorable  result.  I  shall  dissuade  her  from  writing  by 
this  month's  mail,  though  she  has  mentioned  that  she 
wants  to  write  to  you  and  her  family.  Nor  does  she 
know  that  I  am  writing  to  you.  Her  family  I  don't  want 
to  distress  at  present.  She  may  get  better.  But  I 
suffer  so  much  myself  that  I  felt  it  would  be  some  relief 


292  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

to  sit  down  and  tell  you  all  about  it.  .  .  .  When  she 
was  at  Tavoy  she  made  up  her  mind  that  she  must  die 
soon,  and  that  is  now  her  prevailing  expectation  ;  but 
she  contemplates  the  event  with  composure  and  resigna- 
tion. Within  a  few  months  she  has  grown  much  in  de- 
votional feelings,  and  in  longing  desires  to  be  wholly 
conformed  to  the  will  of  Christ.  She  had  formerly  some 
doubts  about  the  genuineness  of  her  early  conversion, 
but  they  have  all  left  her ;  and,  though  she  feels  that  in 
her  circumstances  prolonged  life  is  exceedingly  desirable, 
she  is  quite  willing  to  leave  all,  at  the  Saviour's  call. 
Praise  be  to  God  for  his  love  to  her. 

Yours,  affectionately, 

A.  JUDSON. 

March  23.  Glad  I  am  that  the  mail  is  still  open,  so 
that  I  can  add  that  Emily  is  better.  The  medicine  seems 
really  to  have  taken  effect,  and  the  crisis  to  have  passed. 
But,  though  the  deadly  pressure  is  a  little  removed  from 
my  heart,  I  do  not  venture  to  indulge  very  sanguine 
hopes,  after  what  I  have  seen ;  for  a  few  days  may  pros- 
trate all  again.  Do  remember  us  in  your  prayers.  I 
feel  more  than  ever  that  God  heareth  prayer. 

From  this  illness  Mrs.  Judson  slowly  recovered.  In  a 
letter  to  Dr.  Gillette,  Dr.  Judson  says  :  "  Emily's  health 
is  very  delicate — her  hold  on  life  very  precarious.  Yet 
she  may  live  on  many,  many  years.  She  has  already 
outlived  several  whose  health  was  much  more  robust. 
And  while  she  does  live,  she  will  be  a  blessing  to  all, 
whether  near  or  remote.     I  never  cease  to  thank  God 


LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  295 

that  I  found  her,  accidentally,  as  it  were,  under  your 
roof." 

In  the  month  of  November,  1849,  Dr.  Judson's  health 
began  to  fail.  A  cold,  taken  one  night  while  assisting 
Mrs.  Judson  in  nursing  one  of  the  children  who  was  ill, 
was  followed  by  a  prostrating  attack  of  the  fever  of  the 
country,  which  acted  fatally  on  a  frame  already  weak- 
ened by  pulmonary  complaints.  No  words  that  I  could 
give,  can  paint  the  illness  and  the  desolation  left  by  hia 
death,  in  the  touching  manner  of  his  grief-stricken 
widow.  I  quote  her  letters  to  the  children  in  America, 
and  one  to  his  sister. 

FROM   MRS.    JUDSON   TO    THE    CHILDREN    IN   AMERICA. 

Maulmain,  April  llih,  1850. 

My  VERY   DEAR    CHILDREN  : — 

I  have  painful  news  to  tell  you — news  that  1  am  sure 
will  make  your  hearts  ache ;  but  I  hope  our  Heavenly 
Father  will  help  you  to  bear  it.  Your  dear  papa  is  very, 
very  ill  indeed,  so  much  so  that  the  best  judges  fear  he 
will  never  be  any  better.  He  began  to  fail  about  five 
months  ago,  and  has  declined  so  gradually  that  we  were 
not  fully  aware  of  his  danger  until  lately ;  but  within 
a  few  weeks  those  who  love  him  have  become  very  much 
alarmed.  In  January,  we  went  down  to  Mergui,  by  the 
steamer,  and  when  we  returned,  thought  he  was  a  little 
better ;  but  he  soon  failed  again.  We  next  spent  a 
month  at  Amherst,  but  he  received  little,  if  any,  benefit. 
Next,  the  doctors  pronounced  our  house — the  one  you 
used  to  live  in — unhealthy,  and  we  removed  to  another. 
But  all  was   of  no   use.     Your  dear  papa  continued  tc 


294  LIFE    OF    EMILY    C.    JUDSON. 

fall,  till  suddenly,  one  evening,  his  muscular  strength 
gave  way,  and  he  was  prostrated  on  the  bed,  unable  to 
help  himself.  This  occurred  about  two  weeks  ago.  The 
doctor  now  became  alarmed,  and  said  the  only  hope  for 
him  was  in  a  long  voyage.  It  was  very  hard  to  think  of 
such  a  thing  in  his  reduced  state,  particularly  as  I  could 
not  go  with  him  ;  but  after  we  had  wept  and  prayed  over 
it  one  day  and  night,  we  concluded  that  it  was  our  duty 
to  use  the  only  means  which  God  had  left  us,  however 
painful.  We  immediately  engaged  his  passage  aboard  a 
French  bark  bound  for  the  Mauritius ;  but  before  it 
sailed  he  had  become  so  very  low  that  no  one  thought  it 
right  for  him  to  go  alone.  They  therefore  called  a 
meeting  of  the  mission,  and  appointed  Mr.  Ranney,  the 
superintendent  of  the  press,  to  accompany  him.  It  was 
a  great  relief  to  me,  for  he  is  a  very  kind  man,  and 
loves  your  dear  papa  very  much ;  and  he  will  do 
everything  that  can  be  done  for  his  comfort.  The  officers 
of  the  vessel,  too,  seemed  greatly  interested  for  him,  as 
did  everyone  else.  He  was  carried  on  board  a  week  ago 
yesterday,  in  a  litter,  and  placed  on  a  nice,  easy  cot, 
made  purposely  for  him.  I  staid  on  board  with  him  all 
day,  and  at  dark  came  home  to  stay  with  the  children. 
The  next  day  I  found  that  the  vessel  had  only  dropped 
down  a  little  distance,  and  so  I  took  a  boat  and  followed. 
I  expected  this  would  certainly  be  the  last  day  with  him  ; 
but  it  was  not.  Friday  I  went  again  ;  and  though  he 
did  not  appear  as  well  as  on  the  previous  days,  I  was 
forced  to  take,  as  I  then  supposed,  a  final  leave  of  him. 
But  when  morning  came,  I  felt  as  though  I  could  not 
live  through  the  day  without  knowing  how  he  was.     So 


LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  295 

I  took  a  boat  again,  and  reached  the  vessel  about  two 
o'clock,  P.  M.  He  could  not  speak,  except  in  whispers, 
but  seemed  very  glad  that  I  came.  The  natives  that  I 
had  sent  to  fan  him,  till  he  should  get  out  of  the  river, 
came  to  me,  and  begged  to  have  him  taken  ashore  again  ; 
and  so  small  was  my  hope  of  his  recovery,  that  my  heart 
pleaded  on  their  side,  though  I  still  thought  it  duty  to  do 
as  the  doctor  had  ordered.  I  came  away  at  dark,  and 
though  his  lips  moved  to  say  some  word  of  farewell,  they 
made  no  sound.  I  hope  that  you,  my  dear  boys,  will 
never  have  cause  to  know  w^hat  a  heavy  heart  I  bore 
back  to  my  desolate  home  that  night.  The  vessel  got 
out  to  sea  about  four  o'clock  on  Monday,  and  last  night 
the  natives  returned,  bringing  a  letter  from  Mr.  Ranney, 
Your  precious  papa  had  revived  again,  spoke  aloud,  took 
a  little  tea  and  toast,  said  there  was  something  animating 
in  the  touch  of  the  sea  breeze,  and  directed  Mr.  Ranney 
to  write  to  me  that  he  had  a  strong  belief  it  was  the  will 
of  God  to  restore  him  again  to  health.  I  feel  somewhat 
encouraged,  but  dare  not  hope  too  much. 

And  now,  my  dear  boys,  it  will  be  three,  perhaps  four 
loner  months  before   we  can  hear  from  our  loved   one 

o 

again;  and  we  shall  all  be  very  anxious.  All  that  we 
can  do  is  to  commit  him  to  the  care  of  our  Heavenly 
Father,  and  if  we  never  see  him  again  in  this  world, 
pray  that  we  may  be  prepared  to  meet  him  in  heaven. 

Your  dear  little  brothers  and  sister  enjoy  excellent 
hea  th.  They  are  so  young  that  they  do  not  understand 
much  about  their  papa,  though  they  sometimes  cry  when 
I  talk  to  them  about  him.  I  shall  write  to  you  just  as 
quick  as  I  hear  from  your  papa,  and  wish  you  to  write 


296  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

to  me,  for  I  love  you  very  much  for  his  sake,  though  I 
saw  so  little  of  you  at  Worcester.  Give  love  to  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Newton,  and  believe  me 

Your  most  affectionate  mamma, 

Emily  C.  Judson. 

CLOSING   SCENES   IN   DR.   JUDSON'S   LIFE,  COMMUNICATEB 
TO   HIS   SISTER,    BY   MRS.    JUDSON. 

Maulmain,  September  20thy  1850. 

My  DEAR  Sister: 

Last  month  I  could  do  no  more  than  announce  to  you 
our  painful  bereavement,  which,  though  not  altogether 
unexpected,  will,  I  very  well  know,  fall  upon  your  heart 
with  overwhelming  weight.  You  will  find  the  account 
of  your  brother's  last  days  on  board  the  Aristide  Marie, 
in  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Ranney,  from  Mauritius,  to 
the  secretary  of  the  board ;  and  I  can  add  nothing  to 
it,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  unimportant  particulars, 
gleaned  in  conversations  with  Mr.  Ranney  and  the 
Coringa  servant.  I  grieve  that  it  should  be  so — that  I 
was  not  permitted  to  watch  beside  him  during  those  days 
of  terrible  suffering ;  but  the  pain  which  I  at  first  felt  is 
gradually  yielding  to  gratitude  for  the  inestimable 
privileges  which  had  previously  been  granted  me. 

There  was  something  exceedingly  beautiful  in  the 
decline  of  your  brother's  life — more  beautiful  than  I  can 
describe,  though  the  impression  will  remain  with  me  as 
a  sacred  legacy,  until  I  go  to  meet  him  where  suns  shall 
never  set,  and  life  shall  never  end.  He  had  been,  from 
my  first  acquaintance  with  him,  an  uncommonly  spiritual 
Christian,  exhibiting  his  richest  graces  in  the  unguarded 


LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  297 

intercourse  of  private  life ;  but  during  his  last  year,  it 
seemed  as  though  the  light  of  the  -world  on  which  he  was 
entering,  had  been  sent  to  brighten  his  upward  pathAvaj. 
Every  subject  on  which  we  conversed,  every  book  we 
read,  every  incident  that  occurred,  whether  trivial  or 
important,  had  a  tendency  to  suggest  some  peculiarly 
spiritual  train  of  thought,  till  it  seemed  to  me  that,  more 
than  ever  before,  "  Christ  was  all  his  theme."  Something 
of  the  same  nature  was  also  noted  in  his  preaching,  to 
which  I  then  had  not  the  privilege  of  listening.  He  was 
in  the  habit,  however,  of  studying  his  subject  for  the 
Sabbath,  audibly,  and  in  my  presence,  at  which  time  he 
was  frequently  so  much  aflfected  as  to  weep,  and  sometimes 
so  overwhelmed  with  the  vastness  of  his  conceptions  as  to 
be  obliged  to  abandon  his  theme  and  choose  another.  My 
own  illness  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  had  brought 
eternity  very  near  to  us,  and  rendered  death,  the  grave, 
and  the  bright  heaven  beyond  it,  familiar  subjects  of  con- 
versation. Gladly  would  I  give  you,  my  dear  sister,  some 
idea  of  the  share  borne  by  him  in  those  memorable  con- 
versations ;  but  it  would  be  impossible  to  convey,  even 
to  those  who  knew  him  best,  the  most  distant  conception 
of  them.  I  believe  he  has  sometimes  been  thought  elo- 
quent, both  in  conversation,  and  in  the  sacred  desk ;  but 
the  fervent,  burning  eloquence,  the  deep  pathos,  the 
touching  tenderness,  the  elevation  of  thought,  and  intense 
beauty  of  expression,  which  characterized  those  private 
teachings,  were  not  only  beyond  what  I  had  ever  heard 
before,  but  such  as  I  felt  sure  arrested  his  own  attention, 
fend  surprised  even  himself.  About  this  time  he  began 
to  find  unusual  satisfaction  and  enjoyment  in  his  private 


298  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

devotions,  and  seemed  to  have  new  objects  of  interest 
continually  rising  in  his  mind,  each  of  which  in  turn 
became  special  subjects  of  prayer.  Among  these,  one 
of  the  most  prominent  was  the  conversion  of  his  posterity. 
He  remarked,  that  he  had  always  prayed  for  his  children, 
but  that  of  late  he  had  felt  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
praying  for  their  children  and  their  children's  children, 
down  to  the  latest  generation.  He  also  prayed  most 
fervently  that  his  impressions  on  this  particular  subject 
might  be  transferred  to  his  sons  and  daughters,  and  thence 
to  their  offspring,  so  that  he  should  ultimately  meet  a 
long,  unbroken  line  of  descendants  before  the  throne  of 
God,  where  all  might  join  together  in  ascribing  everlast- 
ing praises  to  their  Redeemer. 

Another  subject,  which  occupied  a  large  share  of  his 
attention,  was  that  of  brotherly  love.  You  are,  perhaps, 
aware  that,  like  all  persons  of  his  ardent  temperament, 
he  was  subject  to  strong  attachments  and  aversions, 
which  he  sometimes  had  difficulty  in  bringing  under  the 
controlling  influence  of  divine  grace.  He  remarked  that 
he  had  always  felt  more  or  less  of  an  affectionate  interest 
in  his  brethren,  as  brethren,  and  some  of  them  he  had 
loved  very  dearly  for  their  personal  qualities  ;  but  he  was 
A.ow  aware  that  he  had  never  placed  his  standard  of  love 
high  enough.  He  spoke  of  them  as  children  of  God, 
redeemed  by  the  Saviour's  blood,  watched  over  and 
guarded  by  his  love,  dear  to  his  heart,  honored  by  him 
in  the  election,  and  to  be  honored  hereafter  before  the 
assembled  universe ;  and  he  said  it  was  not  sufficient  to 
be  kind  and  obliging  to  such,  to  abstain  from  evil  speak- 
ing, and  make  a  general  mention  of  them  in  our  prayers, 


LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  299 

but  our  attachment  to  them  should  be  of  the  most  ardent 
and  exalted  character :  it  would  be  so  in  heaven,  and  we 
lost  immeasurably  by  not  beginning  now.  "As  I  have 
loved  you,  so  ought  ye  also  to  love  one  another,"  was  a 
precept  continually  in  his  mind ;  and  he  would  often 
murmur,  as  though  unconsciously,  "  'As  I  have  loved  you' 
— '  as  I  have  loved  you,'  "  then  burst  out  with  the  excla- 
mation, "  Oh,  the  love  of  Christ !  the  love  of  Christ  !" 

His  prayers  for  the  mission  were  marked  by  an  earnest, 
grateful  enthusiasm,  and  in  speaking  of  missionary  opera- 
tions in  general,  his  tone  was  one  of  elevated  triumph, 
almost  of  exultation ;  for  he  not  only  felt  an  unshaken 
confidence  in  their  final  success,  but  would  often  exclaim, 
''What  wonders — Oh,  what  wonders  God  has  already 
wrought !" 

I  remarked  that  during  this  year  his  literary  labor, 
which  he  had  never  liked,  and  upon  which  he  had  entered 
unwillingly,  and  from  a  feeling  of  necessity,  was  grow- 
ing more  irksome  to  him ;  and  he  always  spoke  of  it  as 
his  "heavy  work,"  his  "  tedious  work,"  "  that  wearisome 
dictionary,"  &c.,  though  this  feeling  led  to  no  relaxation 
of  efibrt.  He  longed,  however,  to  find  some  more  spi- 
ritual employment,  to  be  engaged  in  what  he  considered 
more  legitimate  missionary  labor,  and  drew  delightful 
pictures  of  the  future,  when  his  whole  business  would  be 
but  to  preach  and  to  pray. 

During  all  this  time  I  had  not  observed  any  failure  in 
physical  strength  ;  and  though  his  mental  exercises  occu- 
pied a  large  share  of  my  thoughts  when  alone,  it  never 
once  occurred  to  me  that  this  might  be  the  brightening 
of  the  setting  sun ;  my  only  feeling  was  that  of  pleasure, 


300  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

that  one  so  near  to  me  was  becoming  so  pure  and  elevated 
in  his  sentiments,  and  so  lovely  and  Christ-like  in  his 
character.  In  person  he  had  grown  somewhat  stouter 
than  when  in  America;  his  complexion  had  a  healthful 
hue,  compared  with  that  of  his  associates  generally  ;  and 
though  by  no  means  a  person  of  uniformly  firm  health, 
he  seemed  to  possess  such  vigor  and  strength  of  consti- 
tution, that  I  thought  his  life  as  likely  to  be  extended 
twenty  years  longer,  as  that  of  any  member  of  the  mis- 
sion. He  continued  his  system  of  morning  exercise, 
commenced  w^hen  a  student  at  Andover,  and  was  not  sat- 
isfied with  a  common  walk  on  level  ground,  but  always 
chose  an  up-hill  path,  and  then  frequently  went  bounding 
on  his  way  with  all  the  exuberant  activity  of  boyhood; 

He  was  of  a  singularly  happy  temperament,  although 
not  of  that  even  cast  which  never  rises  above  a  certain 
level,  and  is  never  depressed.  Possessing  acute  sensibil- 
ities, suff'ering  with  those  w^ho  suftered,  and  entering  as 
readily  into  the  joys  of  the  prosperous  and  happy,  he 
was  variable  in  his  moods ;  but  religion  formed  such  an 
eesenital  element  in  his  character,  and  his  trust  in  Provi- 
dence w^as  so  implicit  and  habitual,  that  he  was  never 
gloomy,  and  seldom  more  than  momentarily  disheartened. 
On  the  other  hand,  being  accustomed  to  regard  all  the 
events  of  this  life,  however  minute  or  painful,  as  ordered 
in  wisdom,  and  tending  to  one  great  and  glorious  end,  he 
lived  in  almost  constant  obedience  to  the  apostolic  injunc- 
tion, "Rejoice  evermore!"  He  often  told  me  that 
although  he  had  endured  much  personal  suffering,  and 
passed  through  many  fearful  trials  in  the  course  of  his 
eventful  life,  a  kind  Providence   had  also  hedged  him 


LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  301 

round  with  precious,  peculiar  blessings,  so  that  his  joys 
had  far  outnumbered  his  sorrows. 

Towards  the  close  of  September  of  last  year,  lie 
said  to  me  one  evening,  "  What  deep  cause  have  we  for 
gratitude  to  God  ?  Do  you  believe  there  are  any  other 
two  persons  in  the  wide  world  so  happy  as  we  are  ?" 
enumerating,  in  his  own  earnest  manner,  several  sources 
of  happiness,  in  which  our  work  as  missionaries,  and  our 
eternal  prospects,  occupied  a  prominent  position.  When 
he  had  finished  his  glowing  picture,  I  remarked — 1 
scarcely  know  why,  but  there  was  a  heavy  cloud  upon 
my  spirits  that  evening — "  We  are  certainly  very  happy 
now,  but  it  cannot  be  so  always.  I  am  thinking  of  the 
time  when  one  of  us  must  stand  beside  the  bed,  and  see 
the  other  die.'* 

"Yes,"  he  said  ;  "that  will  be  a  sad  moment;  I  felt 
it  most  deeply  a  little  while  ago,  but  now  it  would  not  be 
strange  if  your  life  were  prolonged  beyond  mine — 
though  I  should  wish,  if  it  were  possible,  to  spare  you 
that  pain.  It  is  the  one  left  alone  who  suifers,  not  the 
one  who  goes  to  be  with  Christ.  If  it  should  only  be  the 
will  of  God  that  we  might  go  together,  like  young  James 
and  his  wife  !  But  he  will  order  all  things  well,  and  we 
can  safely  trust  our  future  to  his  hands." 

That  same  night  we  were  roused  from  sleep  by  the 
sudden  illness  of  one  of  the  children.  There  was  an 
unpleasant,  chilling  dampness  in  the  air,  as  it  came  to  us 
through  the  openings  in  the  sloats  above  the  windows, 
which  afi'ected  your  brother  very  sensibly ;  and  he  soon 
began  to  shiver  so  violently  that  he  was  obliged  to  re- 
turn to  his  couch,  where  he  remained  under  a  warm  cov- 


302  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

ering  until  morning.  In  the  morning  he  awoke  with  a 
severe  cold,  accompanied  by  some  degree  of  fever ;  but  as  it 
did  not  seem  very  serious,  and  our  three  children  were  all 
suffering  from  a  similar  cause,  we  failed  to  give  it  any 
especial  attention.  From  that  time  he  was  never  well, 
though  in  writing  to  you,  before,  I  think  I  dated  the 
commencement  of  his  illness  from  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, when  he  laid  aside  his  studies.  I  know  that  he  re- 
garded this  attack  as  trifling ;  and  yet  one  evening  he 
spent  a  long  time  in  advising  me  with  regard  to  my  future 
course,  if  I  should  be  deprived  of  his  guidance,  saying 
that  it  is  always  wise  to  be  prepared  for  exigencies  of 
this  nature.  After  the  month  of  November,  he  failed 
gradually,  occasionally  rallying  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
deceive  us  all,  but  at  each  relapse  sinking  lower  than  at 
the  previous  one,  though  still  full  of  hope  and  courage, 
and  yielding  ground  only  inch  by  inch,  as  compelled  by 
the  triumphant  progress  of  disease.  During  some  hours 
of  every  day  he  suffered  intense  pain ;  but  his  naturally 
buoyant  spirits  and  uncomplaining  disposition,  led  him 
to  speak  so  lightly  of  it,  that  I  used  sometimes  to  fear 
that  the  doctor,  though  a  very  skillful  man,  would  be 
fatally  deceived. 

As  his  health  declined,  his  mental  exercises  at  first 
seemed  deepened ;  and  he  gave  still  larger  portions  of 
his  time  to  prayer,  conversing  with  the  utmost  freedom 
on  his  daily  progress,  and  the  extent  of  his  self-conquest. 
Just  before  our  trip  to  Mergui,  which  took  place  in  Janu- 
ary, he  looked  up  from  his  pillow  one  day  with  sudden 
animation,  and  said  tome  earnestly,  "  I  have  gained  the 
victory  at  last.     I  love  every  one   of  Christ's  redeemed. 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  303 

as  I  believe  lie  -would  have  me  love  them — in  the  same 
manner,  though  not  probably  to  the  same  degree  as  we 
shall  love  one  another  in  heaven  ;  and  gladly  would  I 
prefer  the  meanest  of  his  creatures,  who  bears  his  name, 
before  myself."  This  he  said  in  allusion  to  the  text, 
''  In  honor  preferring  one  another,"  on  which  he  had  fre- 
quently dwelt  with  great  emphasis.  After  further  sim- 
ilar conversation,  he  concluded,  "And  now  here  I  lie  at 
peace  with  all  the  world,  and  what  is  better  still,  at  peace 
with  my  own  conscience.  I  know  that  I  am  a  miserable 
sinner  in  the  sight  of  God,  with  no  hope  but  in  the 
blessed  Saviour's  merits;  but  I  cannot  think  of  any  par- 
ticular fault,  any  peculiarly  besetting  sin,  which  it  is  now 
my  duty  to  correct.     Can  you  tell  me  of  any  ?" 

And  truly,  from  this  time  no  other  word  would  so  well 
express  his  state  of  feeling  as  that  one  of  his  own  choos- 
ing— jyeace.  He  had  no  particular  exercises  afterwards, 
but  remained  calm  and  serene,  speaking  of  himself  daily 
as  a  great  sinner,  who  had  been  overwhelmed  with  bene- 
fits, and  declaring  that  he  had  never  in  all  his  life  before 
had  such  delightful  views  of  the  unfathomable  love  and 
infinite  condescension  of  the  Saviour  as  were  now  daily 
opening  before  him.  "  Oh,  the  love  of  Christ !  the  love 
of  Christ !"  he  would  suddenly  exclaim,  while  his  eye 
kindled,  and  the  tears  chased  each  other  down  his 
cheeks ;  "  we  cannot  understand  it  now — but  what  a 
beautiful  study  for  eternity  !" 

After  our  return  from   Mergui,  the  doctor  advised  a 
still  further  trial  of  the  effects  of  sea  air   and   sea  bath 
ing  ;  and  we  accordingly   proceeded  to  Amherst,  where 
we   remained  nearly  a   month.     This   to   me   was    the 


304  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

darkest  period  of  his  illness — no  medical  adviser,  no 
friend,  at  hand,  and  he  daily  growing  weaker  and  weaker. 
Be  began  to  totter  in  walking,  clinging  to  the  furniture 
und  walls,  when  he  thought  he  was  unobserved,  (for  he 
was  not  willing  to  acknowledge  the  extent  of  his  debil- 
ity,) and  his  wan  face  was  of  a  ghastly  paleness.  His 
sufferings  too  were  sometimes  fearfully  intense,  so  that, 
i\  spite  of  his  habitual  self-control,  his  groans  would  fill 
the  house.  At  other  times  a  kind  of  lethargy  seemed 
to  steal  over  him,  and  he  would  sleep  almost  incessant- 
ly for  twenty-four  hours,  seeming  annoyed  if  he  were 
aroused  or  disturbed.  Yet  there  were  portions  of  the  time 
when  he  was  comparatively  comfortable,  and  conversed 
intelligently  ;  but  his  mind  seemed  to  revert  to  former 
scenes,  and  he  tried  to  amuse  me  with  stories  of  his  boy- 
hood, his  college  days,  his  imprisonment  in  France,  and 
his  early  missionary  life.  He  had  a  great  deal  also  to  say 
on  his  favorite  theme,  "the  love  of  Christ;"  but  his 
strength  was  too  much  impaired  for  any  continuous  mental 
'Effort.  Even  a  short  prayer,  made  audibly,  exhausted 
him  to  such  a  degree  that  he  was  obliged  to  discontinue 
the  practice. 

At  length  T  wrote  to  Maulmain,  giving  some  expres- 
sion of  my  anxieties  and  misgivings,  and  our  kind  mis- 
sionary friends,  who  had  from  the  first  evinced  all  the 
tender  interest  and  watchful  sympathy  of  the  nearest 
kindred,  immediately  sent  for  us — the  doctor  advising 
a  sea  voyage.  But  as  there  was  no  vessel  in  the  harbor 
bound  for  a  port  sufficiently  distant,  we  thought  it  best, 
in  the  mean  time,  to  remove  from  our  old  dwelling,  which 
had  long  been  condemned  as  unhealthy,  to  another  mission 


LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  305 

house,  fortunately  empty.  This  change  was,  at  first, 
attended  with  the  most  beneficial  results ;  and  our  hopes 
revived  so  much,  that  we  looked  forward  to  the  approach- 
ing rainy  season  for  entire  restoration.  But  it  lasted 
only  a  little  while  ;  and  then  both  of  us  became  convinced 
tliat,  though  a  voyage  at  sea  involved  much  that  was 
exceedingly  painful,  it  yet  presented  the  only  prospect 
of  recovery,  and  could  not,  therefore,  without  a  breach 
of  duty,  be  neglected. 

"  Oh,  if  it  were  only  the  will  of  God  to  take  me  now — 
to  let  me  die  here !"  he  repeated  over  and  over  again, 
in  a  tone  of  anguish,  while  we  were  considering  the  sub- 
ject. "  I  cannot,  cannot  go  !  This  is  almost  more  than 
I  can  bear  !  Was  there  ever  sufiering  like  our  suf- 
fering ?"  and  the  like  broken  expressions,  were  contin- 
ually falling  from  his  lips.  But  he  soon  gathered  more 
strength  of  purpose ;  and  after  the  decision  was  fairly 
made,  he  never  hesitated  for  a  moment,  rather  regarding 
the  prospect  with  pleasure.'  I  think  the  struggle  which 
this  resolution  cost  injured  him  very  materially ;  though 
probably  it  had  no  share  in  bringing  about  the  final  result. 
God,  who  saw  the  end  from  the  beginning,  had  counted 
out  his  days,  and  they  were  hastening  to  a  close.  Until 
this  time  he  had  been  able  to  stand,  and  to  walk  slowly 
from  room  to  room  ;  but  as  he  one  evening  attempted  to 
rise  from  his  chair,  he  was  suddenly  deprived  of  his 
small  remnant  of  muscular  strength,  and  would  have 
fallen  to  the  floor  but  for  timely  support. 

From  that  moment  his  decline  was  rapid.  As  he  lay 
helplessly  upon  his  couch,  and  watched  the  swelling  of 
his  feet,  and  other  alarming  symptoms,  he  became  very 
20 


306  LIFE   OP   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

anxious  to  commence  his  voyage,  and  I  felt  equally  anx- 
ious to  have  his  wishes  gratified.  I  still  hoped  he  might 
recover  ;  the  doctor  said  the  chances  of  life  and  death 
were,  in  his  opinion,  equally  balanced.  And  then  he  al- 
ways loved  the  sea  so  dearly  !  There  was  something 
exhilarating  to  him  in  the  motion  of  a  vessel,  and  he 
spoke  with  animation  of  getting  free  from  the  almost 
suffocating  atmosphere  incident  to  the  hot  season,  and 
drinking  in  the  fresh  sea  breezes.  He  talked  but  little 
more,  however,  than  was  necessary  to  indicate  his  wants  ; 
his  bodily  sufferings  being  too  great  to  allow  of  conver- 
sation ;  but  several  times  he  looked  up  to  me  with  a  bright 
smile,  and  exclaimed,  as  heretofore,  "  Oh,  the  love  of 
Christ  !  the  love  of  Christ!" 

I  found  it  difficult  to  ascertain,  from  expressions 
casually  dropped  from  time  to  time,  his  real  opinion  with 
regard  to  his  recovery ;  but  I  thought  there  was  some 
reason  to  doubt  whether  he  was  fully  aware  of  his 
critical  situation.  I  did  not  suppose  he  had  any  prepar- 
ation to  make  at  this  late  hour,  and  I  felt  sure  that,  if 
he  should  be  called  ever  so  unexpectedly,  he  would  not 
enter  the  presence  of  his  Maker  with  a  ruffled  spirit ; 
but  I  could  not  bear  .to  have  him  go  away,  without  know- 
ing how  doubtful  it  was  whether  our  next  meeting  would 
not  be  in  eternity ;  and  perhaps  too,  in  my  own  distress, 
I  might  still  have  looked  for  words  of  encouragement 
and  sympathy,  to  a  source  which  had  never  before  failed. 

It  was  late  in  the  night,  and  I  had  been  performing 
some  little  sick-room  offices,  when  suddenly  he  looked  up 
to  me,  and  exclaimed,  "  This  will  never  do  !  You  are 
killing  yourself  for  me,  and   I  will  not  permit  it.     Y®u 


LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON  307 

must  have  some  one  to  relieve  you.  If  I  had  not  been 
made  selfish  by  suffering,  I  should  have  insisted  upon  il 
long  ago." 

He  spoke  so  like  himself,  with  the  earnestness  of 
health,  and  in  a  tone  to  which  my  ear  had  of  late  been  a 
stranger,  that  for  a  moment  I  felt  almost  bewildered  with 
sudden  hope.  He  received  my  reply  to  what  he  had 
said  with  a  half-pitying,  half-gratified  smile ;  but  in  the 
mean  time  his  expression  had  changed — the  marks  of 
excessive  debility  were  again  apparent,  and  I  could  not 
forbear  adding,  "  It  is  only  a  little  while,  you  know." 

"  Only  a  little  while,"  he  repeated  mournfully ;  "  this 
separation  is  a  bitter  thing,  but  it  does  not  distress  me 
now  as  it  did — I  am  too  weak."  *' You  have  no  reason 
to  be  distressed,"  I  answered,  ^' with  such  glorious  pros- 
pects before  you.  You  have  often  told  me  it  is  the  one 
left  alone  who  sufiers,  not  the  one  who  goes  to  be  with 
Christ."  He  gave  me  a  rapid,  questioning  glance,  then 
assumed  for  several  moments  an  attitude  of  deep  thought. 
Finally,  he  slowly  unclosed  his  eyes,  and  fixing  them  on 
me,  said  in  a  calm,  earnest  tone,  ''I  do  not  believe  I  am 
going  to  die.  I  think  I  know  why  this  illness  has  been 
sent  upon  me  ;  I  needed  it ;  I  feel  that  it  has  done  me  good  ; 
and  it  is  my  impression  that  I  shall  now  recover,  and  be 
a  better  and  more  useful  man." 

*'  Then  it  is  your  wish  to  recover?"  I  inquired.  "If 
it  should  be  the  will  of  God,  yes.  I  should  like  to  com 
plete  the  dictionary,  on  which  I  have  bestowed  so  much 
labor,  now  that  it  is  so  nearly  done ;  for,  though  it  has 
not  been  a  work  that  pleased  my  taste  or  quite  satisfied 
my  feelings,  I  have  never  underrated   its  importance. 


BOS  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

Then  after  that  come  all  the  plans  that  we  have  formed. 
Oh,  I  feel  as  if  I  were  only  just  beginning  to  be  pre- 
pared for  usefulness !'' 

"  It  is  the  opinion  of  most  of  the  mission,"  I  remarked, 
"  that  you  will  not  recover."  '^  I  know  it  is,"  he  replied, 
"  and  I  suppose  they  think  me  an  old  man,  and  imagine 
it  is  nothing  for  one  like  me  to  resign  a  life  so  full  of 
trials.  But  I  am  not  old — at  least  in  that  sense ;  you 
know  I  am  not.  Oh  !  no  man  ever  left  this  world  with 
more  inviting  prospects,  with  brighter  hopes,  or  warmer 
feelings — warmer  feelings!"  he  repeated,  and  burst  into 
tears.  His  face  was  perfectly  placid,  even  while  the 
tears  broke  away  from  the  closed  lids,  and  rolled,  one 
after  another,  down  to  the  pillow.  There  was  no  trace 
of  agitation  or  pain  in  his  manner  of  weeping,  but  it  was 
evidently  the  result  of  acute  sensibilities,  combined  with 
great  physical  weakness.  To  some  suggestions  which  I 
ventured  to  make,  he  replied,  ''It  is  not  that — I  know 
all  that,  and  feel  it  in  my  inmost  heart.  Lying  here 
on  my  bed,  when  I  could  not  talk,  I  have  had  such  views 
of  the  loving  condescension  of  Christ,  and  the  glories  of 
heaven  as  I  believe  are  seldom  granted  to  mortal  man. 
It  is  not  because  I  shrink  from  death  that  I  wish  to  live, 
neither  is  it  because  the  ties  that  bind  me  here,  though 
some  of  them  are  very  sweet,  bear  any  comparison  with 
the  drawings  I  at  times  feel  towards  heaven ;  but  a  few 
years  would  not  be  missed  from  my  eternity  of  bliss,  and 
I  can  well  afford  to  spare  them,  both  for  your  sake  and 
for  the  sake  of  the  poor  Burmans.  I  am  not  tired  of 
my  work,  neither  am  I  tired  of  the  world ;  yet,  when 
Christ  calls  me  home,  I  shall  go  with  the  gladness  of  a 


LIFE    OF    EMILY    C.    JUDSON.  309 

boy  bounding  away  from  bis  school.  Perhaps  I  feel 
something  like  the  young  bride  when  she  contemplates 
resigning  the  pleasant  associations  of  her  childhood  for 
a  yet  dearer  home — though  only  a  very  little  like  her, 
for  there  is  no  doubt  resting  on  my  future.'"  "  Then 
death  would  not  take  you  by  surprise,"  I  remarked,  "if 
it  should  come  even  before  you  could  get  on  board 
ship?"  "0,  no,"  he  said,  "death  will  never  take  me 
by  surprise — do  not  be  afraid  of  that — I  feel  so  strong  in 
Christ.  He  has  not  led  me  so  tenderly  thus  far,  to 
forsake  me  at  the  very  gate  of  heaven.  No,  no ;  I  am 
willing  to  live  a  few  years  longer,  if  it  should  be  so 
ordered ;  and  if  otherwise,  I  am  willing  and  glad  to  die 
'now.  I  leave  myself  entirely  in  the  hands  of  God,  to 
be  disposed  of  according  to  his  holy  will." 

The  next  day  some  one  mentioned,  in  his  presence, 
that  the  native  Christians  were  greatly  opposed  to  the 
voyage,  and  that  many  other  persons  had  a  sim^ar  feel- 
ing with  regard  to  it.  I  thought  he  seemed  troubled, 
and  after  the  visitor  had  withdrawn,  I  inquired  if  he  still 
felt  as  when  he  conversed  with  me  the  night  previous. 
He  replied,  "  0,  yes ;  that  was  no  evanescent  feeling. 
It  has  been  with  me,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  for 
years,  and  will  be  with  me,  I  trust,  to  the  end.  I  am 
ready  to  go  to-day — if  it  should  be  the  will  of  God,  this 
very  hour ;  but  I  am  not  anxious  to  die ;  at  least  when 
I  am  not  beside  myself  with  pain." 

"Then  why  are  you  so  desirous  to  go  to  sea?  I 
should  think  it  would  be  a  matter  of  indifference  to  you." 
"No,"  he  answered  quietly,  "my  judgment  tells  me  it 
would  be  wrong  not  to  go ;  the  doctor  says  criminal     1 


310  LIFE    OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

shall  certainly  die  here ;  if  I  go  away,  I  may  possibly 
recover.  There  is  no  question  with  regard  to  duty  in 
such  a  case  ;  and  I  do  not  like  to  see  any  hesitation,  even 
though  it  springs  from  afifection." 

He  several  times  spoke  of  a  burial  at  sea,  and  always 
as  though  the  prospect  were  agreeable.  It  brought,  he 
said,  a  sense  of  freedom  and  expansion,  and  seemed  far 
pleasanter  than  the  confined,  dark,  narrow  grave,  to 
which  he  had  committed  so  many  that  he  loved.  And 
he  added,  that,  although  his  burial-place  was  a  matter  of 
no  real  importance,  yet  he  believed  it  was  not  in  human 
nature  to  be  altogether  without  a  choice. 

I  have  already  given  you  an  account  of  the  embarka- 
tion, of  my  visits  to  him  while  the  vessel  remained  in  the 
river,  and  of  our  last,  sad,  silent  parting ;  and  Mr.  Ran- 
ney  has  finished  the  picture.  You  will  find,  in  this 
closing  part,  some  dark  shadows,  that  will  give  you  pain; 
but  you  must  remember  that  his  present  felicity  is  en- 
hanced by  those  very  sufferings ;  and  we  should  regret 
nothing  that  serves  to  brighten  his  crown  in  glory.  I 
ought  also  to  add  that  I  have  gained  pleasanter  impres- 
sions in  conversation  with  Mr.  Ranney  than  from  his 
written  account ;  but  it  would  be  difficult  to  convey  them 
to  you ;  and,  as  he  whom  they  concern  was  accustomed 
to  say  of  similar  things,  "  you  will  learn  it  all  in  heaven." 

During  the  last  hour  of  your  sainted  brother's  life, 
Mr.  Ranney  bent  over  him,  and  held  his  hand,  while 
poor  Panapah  stood  at  a  little  distance,  weeping  bitterly. 
The  table  had  been  spread  in  the  cuddy,  as  usual,  and 
the  officers  did  not  know  what  was  passing  in  the  cabin, 
till  summoned  to  dinner.     Then  they  gathered  about  the 


Lnr£   OF    EMILY    C.    JUDSON.  811 

door,  and  watched  the  closing  scene  with  solemn  rever- 
ence. Now — thanks  to  a  merciful  God  ! — his  pains  had 
left  him ;  not  a  momentary  spasm  disturbed  his  placid 
face,  nor  did  the  contraction  of  a  muscle  denote  the  least 
degree  of  suffering ;  the  agony  of  death  was  passed,  and 
his  wearied  spirit  was  turning  to  its  rest  in  the  bosom  of 
the  Saviour.  From  time  to  time,  he  pressed  the  hand 
in  which  his  own  was  resting,  his  clasp  losing  in  force  at 
each  successive  pressure ;  while  his  shortened  breath — 
though  there  was  no  struggle,  no  gasping,  as  if  it  came 
and  went  with  difficulty — gradually  grew  softer  and 
fainter,  until  it  died  upon  the  air — and  he  was  gone. 
Mr.  Ranney  closed  the  eyes,  and  composed  the  passive 
limbs ;  the  ship's  officers  stole  softly  from  the  door,  and 
the  neglected  meal  was  left  upon  the  board  untasted. 

They  lowered  him  to  his  ocean  grave  without  a  prayer. 
His  freed  spirit  had  soared  above  the  reach  of  earthly 
intercession,  and  to  the  foreigners  who  stood  around  it 
would  have  been  a  senseless  form.  And  there  they  left 
him  in  his  unquiet  sepulchre ;  but  it  matters  little,  for 
we  know  that  while  the  unconscious  clay  is  "  drifting  on 
the  shifting  currents  of  the  restless  main,"  nothing  can 
disturb  the  hallowed  rest  of  the  immortal  spirit.  Neither 
could  he  have  a  more  fitting  monument  than  the  blue 
waves  which  visit  every  coast ;  for  his  warm  sympathies 
went  forth  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  included  the 
whole  family  of  man.  It  is  all  as  God  would  have  it, 
and  our  duty  is  but  to  bend  meekly  to  his  will,  and  wait, 
in  faith  and  patience,  till  we  also  shall  be  summoned 
home. 


312  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

After  her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  Judson  wished  to  re- 
main in  India,  where  she  was  so  much  beloved  and  so 
useful,  but  the  delicacy  of  her  health  was  too  great  to 
permit  this.  She  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1851, 
where  she  took  a  home  in  the  village  of  Hamilton  for 
her  parents,  herself,  the  children  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Judson, 
and  her  own  "bird." 

The  fatal  seeds  of  consumption  were,  however,  sown 
in  her  delicate  frame,  and  three  years  after  her  return  to 
America,  she  died.  This  short  space  of  time  was  occu- 
pied by  the  noble  woman,  in  advancing,  both  by  her  la- 
bors with  her  pen  and  her  personal  influence,  the  mis- 
sionary cause  in  the  United  States.  She  aided  Dr.  Way- 
land,  materially,  in  his  Life  of  Dr.  Judson,  and  was 
occupied  upon  an  abridgement  of  this  work  when  she 
was  summoned  to  her  eternal  home,  closing  a  life  of  love, 
usefulness,  and  piety,  with  a  peaceful,  happy  death,  in 
June  1854. 

I  quote  here  some  of  the  exquisite  poetry,  which, 
written  by  her,  places  her  high  in  the  ranks  of  poetesses 
of  America.  They  show  too,  the  high  religious  purity  of 
her  mind,  her  loving  reliance  upon  her  husband,  and 
tender,  maternal  care  for  her  step-children : 

PRAYER  FOR  DEAR  PAPA. 

Poor  and  needy  little  children, 

Saviour,  God,  we  come  to  thee, 
For  our  hearts  are  full  of  sorrow, 

And  no  other  hope  have  we. 
Out  upon  the  restless  ocean 

There  is  one  we  dearly  love, — 
Fold  him  in  thine  arms  of  pity, 

Spread  thy  guardian  wings  above. 


LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  313 

When  the  winds  are  howling  round  him, 

When  the  angry  waves  are  high, 
When  black,  heavy,  midnight  shadows 

On  his  trackless  pathway  He, 
Guide  and  guard  him,  blessed  Saviour, 

Bid  the  hurrying  tempests  stay ; 
Plant  thy  foot  upon  the  waters, 

Send  thy  smile  to  Hght  his  way. 

When  he  lies,  all  pale,  and  suffering, 

Stretched  upon  his  narrow  bed, 
With  no  loving  face  bent  o'er  him. 

No  soft  hand  about  his  head, 
Oh,  let  kind  and  pitying  angels 

Their  bright  forms  around  him  bow ; 
Let  them  kiss  his  heavy  eyelids. 

Let  them  fan  his  fevered  brow. 

Poor  and  needy  little  children, 

Still  we  raise  our  cry  to  Thee ; 
We  have  nestled  in  his  bosom, 

We  have  sported  on  his  knee ; 
Dearly,  dearly  do  we  love  him, 

— We  who  on  his  breast  have  Iain- 
Pity  now  our  desolation ! 

Bring  him  back  to  us  again ! 

If  it  please  thee,  Heavenly  Father, 

We  would  see  him  come  once  more 
With  his  olden  step  of  vigor, 

With  the  love-lit  smile  he  wore ; 
But,  if  we  must  tread  life's  valley 

Orphaned,  guideless,  and  alone, 
Let  us  lose  not,  'mid  the  shadows, 

His  dear  footprints  to  Thy  throne. 

MArLMAiN,  April,  1850. 


314  LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 


SWEET  MOTHER. 

The  wild,  south-west  Monsoon  has  risen, 
With  broad,  gray  wings  of  gloom. 

While  here,  from  out  my  dreary  prison, 
I  look,  as  from  a  tomb — Alas ! 
My  heart  another  tomb. 

Upon  the  low  thatched  roof,  the  rain, 

With  ceaseless  patter,  falls; 
My  choicest  treasures  bear  its  stain — 

Mould  gathers  on  the  walls — Would  heaven 

'Twere  only  on  the  walls ! 

Sweet  mother  !  I  am  here  alone, 

In  sorrow  and  in  pain ; 
The  sunshine  from  my  heart  has  flown, 

It  feels  the  driving  rain — Ah,  me  ! 

The  chill,  and  mould,  and  rain. 

Four  laggard  months  have  wheeled  their  round 

Since  love  upon  it  smiled ; 
And  everything  of  earth  has  frowned 

On  thy  poor,  stricken  child — Sweet  friend, 

Thy  weary,  suffering  child. 

I'd  watched  my  loved  one  night  and  day. 

Scarce  breathing  when  he  slept ; 
And  as  my  hopes  were  swept  away, 

rd  on  his  bosom  wept — 0  God ! 

How  had  I  prayed  and  wept ! 

They  bore  him  from  me  to  the  ship. 

As  bearers  bear  the  dead  ; 
I  kissed  his  speechless,  quivering  lip, 

And  left  him  on  his  bed — Alas ! 

It  seemed  a  coffin-bed  I 


LIFE   OF   EMILY   C.   JUDSON.  315 

When  from  my  gentle  sister's  tomb, 

In  all  our  grief,  we  came, 
Bememberest  tliou  her  vacant  room  ? 

Well,  his  was  just  the  same,  that  day, 

The  very,  very  same. 

Then,  mother,  little  Charley  came — 

Our  beautiful,  fair  boy. 
With  my  own  father's  cherished  name — 

But  oh,  he  brought  no  joy  ! — My  child 

Brought  mourning  and  no  joy. 

His  little  grave  I  cannot  see, 

Though  weary  months  have  sped 
Since  pitying  lips  bent  over  me 

And  whispered,  "  He  is  dead.". — Alas  I 

'Tis  dreadful  to  be  dead ! 


I  do  not  mean  for  one  like  me, 

— So  weary,  worn,  and  weak, 
Death's  shadowy  paleness  seems  to  be, 

Even  now,  upon  my  cheek — ^his  seal 

On  form,  and  brow,  and  cheek. 

But  for  a  bright-winged  bird  like  him 

To  hush  his  joyous  song. 
And,  prisoned  in  a  coffin  dim, 

Join  death's  pale,  phantom  throng— iU^  bojf 

To  join  that  grisly  throng ! 

Oh,  mother,  I  can  scarcely  bear 

To  think  of  this  to-day  ! 
It  was  so  exquisitely  fair, 

— That  little  form  of  clay — ^my  heart 

Still  lingers  by  his  clay. 


816  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JITDSON-. 

And  when  for  one  loved  far,  far  more, 
Come  thickly,  gathering  tears ; 

My  star  of  faith  is  clouded  o'er, 

I  sink  beneath  my  fears — sweet  friend, 
My  heavy  weight  of  fears. 

Oh,  should  he  not  return  to  me, 
Drear,  drear  must  be  life's  night ! 

And,  mother,  I  can  almost  see. 

Even  now,  the  gathering  blight — my  soul 
Faints,  stricken  by  the  blight. 

Oh,  but  to  feel  thy  fond  arms  twine 

Around  me  once  again  ! 
It  almost  seems  those  lips  of  thine 

Might  kiss  away  the  pain — might  sooth© 

This  dull,  cold,  heavy  pain. 


But,  gentle  mother,  through  life's  storms 

I  may  not  lean  on  thee, 
For  helpless,  cowering  little  forms 

CUng,  trustingly,  to  me — Poor  babes! 

To  have  no  guide  but  me ! 

With  weary  foot,  and  broken  wing, 
With  bleeding  heart,  and  sore, 

Thj^  dove  looks  backward,  sorrowing, 
But  seeks  the  ark  no  more — thy  breast 
Seeks  never,  never  more. 

Sweet  mother,  for  this  wanderer  pray 
That  loftier  faith  be  given  ; 

Her  broken  reeds  all  swept  away, 

That  she  may  lean  on  heaven — ^her  soul 
Grow  strong  on  Christ  and  heaven. 


LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON.  317 

AH  fearfullj^  all  tearfully, 

Alone  and  sorrowing, 
My  dim  eye  lifted  to  the  sky, 

Fast  to  the  cross  I  cling — 0  Christ ! 

To  thy  dear  cross  I  cling. 
Maulmain,  August  Sih,  1850. 

LINES  WRITTEX  OFF  ST.  HELENA, 

Blow  softly,  gales  !  a  tender  sigh 

Is  flung  upon  your  wing  ; 
Lose  not  the  treasure  as  ye  fly, 
Bear  it  where  love  and  beauty  lie 

Silent  and  withering. 

Flow  gently,  waves  !  a  tear  is  laid 

Upon  your  heaving  breast ; 
Leave  it  within  yon  dark  rock's  shade, 
Or  weave  it  in  an  iris  braid 

To  crown  the  Christian's  rest. 

Bloom,  ocean  isle,  lone  ocean  isle ! 

Thou  keep'st  a  jewel  rare  ; 
Let  rugged  rock  and  dark  defile 
Above  the  slumbering  stranger  smile 

And  deck  her  couch  with  care. 

Weep,  ye  bereaved  !  a  dearer  head 

Ne'er  left  the  pillowing  breast ; 
The  good,  the  pure,  the  lovely  fled 
When  mingling  with  the  shadowy  dead 

She  meekly  went  to  rest. 

Mourn,  Burmah,  mourn  !  a  bow  which  spanned 

Thy  cloud  has  passed  away ; 
A  flower  has  withered  on  thy  sand, 
A  pitying  spirit  left  thy  strand, 

A  saint  has  ceased  to  pray. 


318  LIFE    OF    EMILY   C.    JUDSON. 

Angels  rejoice,  another  string 

Has  caught  the  strains  above ; 
Rejoice,  rejoice  !  a  new-fledged  wing 
Around  the  throne  is  hovering 
In  sweet,  glad,  wondering  love. 

Blow,  blow,  ye  gales !  wild  billows  roll ! 

Unfurl  the  canvas  wide  ! 
Oh  !  where  she  labored  lies  our  goal : 
Weak,  timid,  frail,  yet  would  my  soul 

Fain  be  to  hers  allied. 
Ship  Fanueil  Hall,  Sept.^  1846, 


LINES 

Addressed  to  a  missionary  friend  in  Burmah  on  the  death  of 
her  little  hoy,  thirteen  months  old,  in  which,  allusion  is  made 
to  the  previous  death  of  his  little  brother. 

A  mound  is  in  the  graveyard, 

A  short  and  narrow  bed ; 
No  grass  is  growing  on  it, 

And  no  marble  at  its  head  : 
Ye  may  go  and  weep  beside  it, 

Ye  may  kneel  and  kiss  the  sod, 
But  ye'll  find  no  balm  for  sorrow 

In  the  cold  and  silent  clod. 

There  is  anguish  in  the  household, 

It  is  desolate  and  lone. 
For  a  fondly  cherished  nursling 

From  the  parent  nest  has  flown ; 
A  little  form  is  missing  ; 

A  heart  has  ceased  to  beat ; 
And  the  chain  of  love  lies  shattered 

At  the  desolator's  feet. 


LIFE    OF   EMILY    C.    JUDSON.  319 

Remove  tlie  empty  cradle, 

His  clothing  put  away, 
And  all  his  little  playthings 

With  your  choicest  treasures  lay 
Strive  not  to  check  the  tear  drops 

That  fall  like  summer  rain. 
For  the  sun  of  hope  shines  thro'  them 

Ye  shall  see  his  face  again, 

Oh  !  think  where  rests  your  darling— 

Not  in  his  cradle-bed  ; 
Not  in  the  distant  graveyard 

With  the  still  and  mouldering  dead; 
But  in  a  heavenly  mansion. 

Upon  the  Saviour's  breast, 
With  his  brother's  arms  about  him 

He  takes  his  sainted  rest. 

He  has  put  on  robes  of  glory 

For  the  little  robes  ye  wrought ; 
And  he  fingers  golden  harp-strings 

For  the  toys  his  sisters  brought. 
Oh,  weep  !  but  with  rejoicing ; 

A  heart  gem  have  ye  given, 
And  behold  its  glorious  setting 

In  the  diadem  of  heaven. 


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